The Administration released their budget blueprint that requests 13.5 percent less funding for programs in the U.S. Department of Education.

The National Association for Gifted Children cautiously awaits the detailed budget, due for release in May, to determine the funding level for the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program. The Javits program is the only dedicated federal funding stream to support the needs of advanced learners, particularly those from underserved backgrounds.

"Voters overwhelmingly support providing federal funding for gifted and talented education," said M. René Islas, Executive Director of the National Association for Gifted Children.

According to the Institute for Educational Advancement’s 2017 Gifted and Talented Messaging Survey, a new bi-partisan poll conducted by The Winston Group and Benenson Strategy Group, eight out of ten registered voters support increased federal funding for gifted and talented education.

"It is our hope that the Administration's final detailed budget maintains funding for the Javits program and reflects the will of the voters,” said Islas. “Supporting gifted and talented children, particularly those from underserved backgrounds, is part of the transformational change needed to ensure all students have the opportunity to fulfill their highest potential and personal best."

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The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) is a membership organization whose mission is to support those who enhance the growth and development of gifted and talented children through education, advocacy, community building, and research. 

CONTACT:  Cathleen Healy, chealy@nagc.org/202-365-4636

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