Legislative Alert

Mississippi Important Facts: 2004-2005 (Revised July, 27, 2005)
• In 2004 districts received funding for 729 gifted teachers.
• In 2005,Gifted was cut approximately 20% - districts were significantly underfunded.
• In 2005 districts received the equivalent of 583 teachers – 146 less than 2004.
 
2005 was the first time the add on programs (special ed, vocational and gifted) were folded into MAEP allocation. The law only mandates service to Intellectually Gifted Programs Grades 2-6; however most districts realize the value of gifted/talented education at all levels and struggle to protect artistic, creative, and academic programs.
 
For full information on budget, go to the Office of Information and Legislative Support at the
Mississippi Department of Education
http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/
 
The Challenge for 2006
(Information from Mississippi Department of Education)
 
For 2006, MDE is requesting funding for 880 gifted units (297 more than 2005) –
this is an effort to provide funds for Intellectually Gifted 2-6 but also expand the optional programs. For 2006, if the add-on programs are fully funded, then money will be distributed based on the specific numbers as in the past (by teacher units). However, if the add-ons are significantly cut, MDE would look at ‘folding’ the money in again as was done in 2005 so that districts would not focus cuts in just the add on programs. This would be an effort to ‘shelter’ the add on programs from the majority of the cuts.
 
Our Role as educators, parents and other interested parties in the community
• Be personal advocates for the gifted children in your district by contacting your legislators . Ask for full funding of MAEP (which includes gifted). Parent and grandparent communication makes a difference. Explain the value of gifted education for your child/grandchild.
• If you have family members that have a personal relationship with legislators, call on them to help you advocate for gifted.
• Become a part of an affiliate group for the gifted (through MAGC).
• Help us build our networking system so that communication flows quickly.
• Work in cooperation with MAGC so that our combined efforts will be effective- our message must be the same.