On behalf of the Northern Virginia Council for Gifted/Talented Education, we are writing to express our strong support for the retention and revision (amending) of the Regulations Governing the Education of the Gifted in Virginia, as part of the current regulatory review process. We believe that these regulations are essential for ensuring that the Commonwealth continues to provide high-quality, equitable educational opportunities to meet the diverse needs of gifted students.

As advancements in the field of gifted education continue to emerge, it is imperative that Virginia’s regulations reflect the latest best practices and research. In particular, we respectfully request that the updated regulations include the following elements:

1. Talent Development: Comprehensive guidance on talent development is essential to ensure that schools identify and nurture potential giftedness in students from all backgrounds, especially those who may be underrepresented in traditional identification processes.

2. Acceleration and Early Access: Clear provisions for acceleration, as well as early access to kindergarten for academically advanced students, will allow gifted learners to progress at a pace that aligns with their intellectual and social-emotional development.

3. Equitable Identification Practices: It is critical that the updated regulations emphasize the importance of using inclusive, research-based methods for identifying gifted learners. By doing so, we can ensure that all students, regardless of socioeconomic background, race, ethnicity, or primary language, are given the opportunity to benefit from gifted education services.

Revising these regulations to reflect modern standards will help Virginia's schools better address the unique academic and social-emotional needs of gifted learners. By supporting talent development, equitable identification, and appropriate academic acceleration, we can ensure that all gifted learners in Virginia are provided with the resources they need to thrive.