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1998 SESSION


CHAPTER 878
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-209.1:5, relating to Virginia Gifted Education Pilot Program.
[H 1288]
Approved April 22, 1998

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 22.1-209.1:5 as follows:

§ 22.1-209.1:5. Virginia Gifted Education Pilot Program; regulations to be promulgated; program eligibility criteria.

A. With such funds as may be appropriated for the purposes of this section, there is hereby created the Virginia Gifted Education Pilot Program to provide a model for school divisions, facilitate the identification of gifted students, and enhance and improve existing gifted education programs. The Board of Education shall promulgate regulations for the implementation of the Program, which shall be administered by the Department of Education.

B. On and after July 1, 1998, the Program shall consist of selected pilot projects located in regions throughout the Commonwealth to provide equal geographical distribution of such projects. Priority for awarding such grants shall be given to projects designed to identify and serve gifted students, particularly students who are eligible for the federal Free Lunch Program. Criteria for awarding such grants shall include, but not be limited to, (i) the use of multiple criteria to identify gifted and talented students; (ii) a pupil-teacher ratio of one full-time equivalent instructional position per 750 students in average daily membership; (iii) the annual local school board report, Programs for the Gifted, submitted to the Department of Education; (iv) teachers, coordinators, counselors, and administrators who are specially trained in gifted education or who have the add-on endorsement in gifted education; (v) demonstration of fiscal accountability for state gifted education funds, regional cooperation, and joint ventures with institutions of higher education; (vi) a demographic profile of the students served, including economic status; (vii) a demonstrated or planned counseling program which is culturally sensitive and responsive to the educational needs of gifted students and acknowledges and accommodates the social and emotional needs of gifted students; (viii) a plan to provide for family participation and community support; and (ix) a review and evaluation component for the pilot project. Grants for all projects shall be awarded on a competitive basis to applicants responding to requests for proposals. Upon appropriation of funds for the purposes of this section, the Board shall issue a request for proposals for projects for the program. Grants shall be awarded by December 1, 1998.

C. Eligible projects shall (i) satisfy the criteria for receiving awards pursuant to subsection B of this section; (ii) comply with federal and state laws and regulations governing gifted education; (iii) ensure the flow-through of state funds for gifted education to gifted and talented programs serving each school division; (iv) provide for family participation in and community support for the project; (v) encourage the development of innovative teaching strategies to improve the achievement of gifted students regardless of their socio-economic status; and (vi) aggressively seek eligible gifted students to improve their representation in gifted education programs. Grant recipients may work collaboratively, upon request, to provide approved service delivery. The Department shall require funded projects to submit a written evaluation of the program on such date as it may determine. The Department shall report the data analysis of the evaluation of the projects to the Governor and the General Assembly by July 1, 2001.

2. That this act shall expire on July 1, 2001.