HB 241 AND GIFTED EDUCATION

The New Mexico Constitution requires that A uniform system of free public schools sufficient for the education of, and open to, all the children of school age in the state shall be established and maintained (Article 12, Section 1).

The study recently completed by the American Institutes for Research under the direction of the Funding Formula Study Task Force, for the first time, defines a constitutionally sufficient education and that definition includes gifted education -- previously it did NOT.

We now have a qualified, research-based definition of a sufficient education and that definition includes gifted education.

HB 241:

Enhances the ability of districts to offer programs for gifted students by removing them from IDEA and putting them in the base formula. The base formula is designed to have a more sufficiently funded education for every school.

Requires educational programming for gifted education for the first time in New Mexico statutes that is outlined clearly through the Educational Plan for Student Success (EPSS). And the EPSS requires parental and community involvement.

Actually provides additional funding to enhance these programs.

Includes all statutory language requiring a multidisciplinary team to designate gifted students.

Includes all statutory language requiring advisory committees.

Does not prevent a school district from completing IEPs on gifted students.

CURRENT STATUTE:

Includes gifted child among its special education definitions but makes no connection between gifted children and students who qualify for services under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Nothing in current statute requires districts to offer gifted education to qualified students.

I spoke with every principle in the El Dorado cluster. Each and every principle stated the new funding formula would give each school more money and more money for the gifted programs.