Important Information for Advocacy Day (MCGT)

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When calling your State Representative and State Senator:

• Emphasize that you are a constituent
• Mention that you will be there on this particular day, April 11th, because it is "Gifted Education Advocacy Day"
• Ask to set up an appointment for that day and ask how long the appointment will last

Please schedule your first appointment no earlier than 45 minutes after the start of your briefing session to allow time to get to your legislator's office. Please leave at least a half hour in between appointments in case your legislator is running late and to allow enough time to get to your next appointment. If your legislator's office is in the State Capitol, you can access this building through the tunnel located in the basement of the State Office Building.

Prior to Advocacy day, it would be helpful to organize your thoughts. Keep in mind that appointments are usually 15 minutes or less in length and the time goes quickly. Remember to specifically ask for their support on educator training regarding gifted students and gifted services contained in the Educator Policy Omnibus bills, H.F. 3316 (House) and S.F. 3001 (Senate). It would be helpful to give specific examples of how better education of teachers and administrators regarding gifted identification and services could improve the education of your gifted child(ren). Please review the talking points below and use the ones that you feel will most complement your story. Your child's story can have a huge influence on your legislators' vote on this bill and on their opinion on future gifted education bills. Remember to be yourself, be brief, and be respectful of your legislator's time and attention span.

After your appointments, please fill out the Advocacy Day Legislator Contact Report which is available at this link and will also be handed out at the sessions. This will provide us with vitally important information as to which representatives and senators are empathetic to our cause and who we should contact next year to sponsor gifted legislation. This can be emailed to me at janette@kirkley.net or mailed to Janette Boik, 13060 Crolly Path, Rosemount, MN 55068.

Please remember to send a thank you letter to your representative and senator. Please remind them you are asking for their support on educator training regarding gifted students and gifted services contained in the Educator Policy Omnibus bills, H.F. 3316 (House) and S.F. 3001 (Senate). Legislators remember these letters and it could make a huge difference in their support.

If you go to your appointment and your legislator ends up being unavailable (unfortunately this happens sometime), please leave a filled in copy of the Constituent Visit for Gifted Education Advocacy Day form. This form will also be available at the sessions.

Talking Points

1. Most importantly, ask your representative or senator to vote for the gifted and talented training for educators included in the House and Senate Education Policy Omnibus bills, H.F. 3316 (House) or the S.F. 3001 (Senate) as well as the gifted identification appeals process contained in the House version.
2. Currently, the State of Minnesota does not require teachers or administrators to have any specific education in gifted and talented. Even GT coordinators/specialists positions in Minnesota have no specific educational requirements regarding gifted identification and gifted services.
3. Stress that 24 other states have legislation that mandates specialized training in gifted education for teachers of gifted students (Davidson Institute, 2007).
4. Gifted and talented students may not be identified if teachers are not educated on the characteristics of these students. Identification of gifted students is extremely important in ensuring that these students receive an appropriate education.
5. In many school districts in Minnesota, the general ed. teacher is the sole provider in educating gifted students. Without specific training, it is difficult for teachers to appropriately challenge gifted and talented students through differentiated lessons and enrichment assignments.
6. GT students who are not identified and/or not provided with appropriate curriculum often develop serious behavior problems, underachieve, and/or drop out of school.
7. "10 to 20% of high school dropouts are in the tested gifted range." (Davis & Rimm, 2004).
8. "Over half the population of gifted students does not match their tested ability with comparable achievement in school." (National Commission on Excellence in Education, A Nation at Risk)
9. Gifted students from the United States perform poorly in several academic subjects when compared to like students in other countries (National Excellence report, United States Department of Education, 1993).
10. If administrators do not understand the needs of gifted and talented students, they may become roadblocks in providing appropriate gifted training and services in their district or individual school.
11. Last year legislature authorized an increase in gifted and talented funding (increased from $9 to $12 per pupil unit) in 126C.10. In order to maximum the effect of these dollars, it is vitally important that teachers and administrators receive training in gifted identification and in providing gifted services.
12. Before you leave, remember to ask if they are going to vote for the bill and thank them for their time no matter their decision. Their opinion may change in the future and we don't want to alienate anyone.

Directions to the Capitol

The Capitol complex is north of I-94 and west of I-35E, just minutes from downtown St. Paul. The State Office Building is just west of the Capitol.

• From the West: Take I-94 eastbound. Exit at Marion Street and turn left. Go to Aurora Avenue and turn right. (Can turn right on Rice Street if wish to park in Lot F.)
• From the East: Take I-94 westbound. Exit at Marion Street and turn right. Go to Aurora Avenue and turn right.
• From the South: Take I-35E northbound. Exit at Kellogg Boulevard and turn left. Go to John Ireland Boulevard and turn right. Go to Rice Street and turn left.
• From the North: Take I-35E southbound. Exit at University Avenue and turn right. Go to Rice Street and turn left.

Parking

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Minnesota Council for the Gifted and Talented
5701 Normandale Road, Suite 315
Edina, MN 55424
(952) 848-4906