Equity in education is an empty concept without excellence.
Washington State has too often left to chance the fate of those with exceptional academic talent rather than ensuring widespread, systematic, and appropriate opportunities to flourish.
Our state needs a commitment to both equity and excellence for all students, so that potential is never squandered.
The possibility of reaching oneʼs potential should not be met with ambivalence, indifference or depend on the ZIP code in which you reside.
• We cannot assume that our stateʼs most talented students will succeed on their own.
• We need proactive identification and development of talented youth from all demographics.
• We need to encourage intellectual ambition with an anticipation of excellence rather than simply exceeding standard.
The Legislature needs to fully fund the actual costs to districts to provide the Highly Capable Program opportunities required by the Washington Administrative Code implementing ESHB 2261, and the McCleary decision.
Join us in the Columbia Room in the Legislative Building at 9 am on March 11 to advocate with Legislators for the needs of our Highly Capable students. All Washington students are entitled to the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
OPPORTUNITY IS NOT OPTIONAL. MINDS MATTER.
Washington Coalition for Gifted Education 