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Background of Gifted Education in the State of Illinois The State of Illinois systematically removed all reference to gifted children from the school code in 2002. Along with that all targeted gifted funding was turned over to districts as block grants, which can be used to fund all aspects of education. Not surprisingly, once the gifted mandate was removed, many school districts dismantled their gifted programs. The Illinois Association for Gifted Children succeeded in 2005 in reinstating the gifted mandate. In the 2008 Illinois budget, some funding for gifted education was reinstated, when a 5 million dollar line item was kept intact on page 10, item 17. Thanks to the many parents from District 181 who helped by attending the gifted advocacy day in Springfield and by calling their representatives and the governor’s office. Please click below for information from the IAGC on the language of the Public Act 094-410 and the Rules and Regulations: LANGUAGE - Illinois Public Act P.A. 94-410 (2005) restored gifted education to the School Code. For a print-friendly version of the full text, go to http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=094-0410&print=true FUNDING - Illinois Public Act 95-348 (2007) lists Gifted Education with its own line item in the State Board of Education's budget. RULES - For Rules for how gifted funding will be handled, approved by ISBE Board (2006), go to http://www.isbe.net/rules/archive/pdfs/227ARK.pdf
Thank you to everyone who testified, wrote letters, called legislators. Our efforts paid off! Please continue to advocate for your children by contacting your elected State Officials and the Illinois State Board of Education (they recommend education funding levels to the legislature). The contact information is listed below. See how Illinois rates compared to other states by clicking here. Additionally, for your information, it is the Illinois State Board of Education that recommends education funding levels to the legislature.
Who are the people making decisions about the education of your child in Illinois? click here to enter your zip code to find your representative. The State Board of Education (appointed by the governor): The State Board consists of nine members who are appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate. Board members serve four-year terms, with State Board membership limited to two consecutive terms. The board sets educational policies and guidelines for public and private schools, preschool through grade 12, as well as vocational education. It analyzes the aims, needs and requirements of education and recommends legislation to the General Assembly and Governor for the benefit of the more than 2 million school children in Illinois. Per the new gifted legislation, there is a Gifted Advisory Council whose role it is to advise ISBE on issues related to the education of gifted children. See the ISBE press release for a list of the individuals you can contact if you want to provide ISBE with feedback regarding gifted education. The State School Superintendent: Dr. Christopher Koch
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