Please allow just one moment of personal privilege to thank a great slate of officers. Serving as President of AAGC has been a most rewarding experience for me. No other job within gifted education has afforded the responsibility and/or the privileges brought with this tenure of AAGC leadership. I never could have accepted the role of state leadership, however, without the assistance of such capable colleagues.

I hope you might consider the opportunity of AAGC leadership at some time in your gifted career. If not, determine definitely to attend at lease one regional or national convention. The 2006 NAGC convention will be held in Louisville, KY‹a sister southern state. Make plans NOW to attend this marvelous gathering. It will be a tremendous investment in your professional growth and a most affordable way to meet national leaders and key players within gifted education today!

Plans will soon be underway for the annual AAGC Summer Conference. The Spring edition of SmartTalk-your AAGC newsletter-will announce final plans.

This statement impacted and inspired me to post it near my computer to ensure a daily focus on my #1 goal of teaching-inspiring the minds of gifted students!

Criteria:
Any current AAGC member may submit a proposal. The following factors will be considered in evaluating the proposals: Creativity, Efficient use of funds, Benefit to students, Ideas that have the most impact, Ideas that can be replicated, and Ideas that involve collaboration between gifted education and regular education teachers.

Guidelines for AAGC Mini-Grant:
1. Projects should involve gifted students as much as possible.

2. Funds can be used to purchase equipment, but not as an end in itself. The equipment should be just one component of a well-planned project.

.3 Incorporating matching funds and community resources is encouraged.

4. Activities that are not presently funded by school systems are encouraged.

5. Projects, which solve a long-standing problem in an unconventional way, are encouraged.

Use the following outline to write your proposal:

1. Title

2. Description

3. Goals and Objectives

4. Schedule of Activities/Implementation

5. Evaluation

6. Replication

7. Budget

8. Sign and Date your proposal and have your building principal sign and date your proposal

Below is a summary of the final action taken in the 108th Congress. The new Congress will convene in Washington in mid January; gifted education supporters will have multiple opportunities to educate new Members to the myriad needs of advanced learners.

Thank you for all your efforts to support high-ability students!

Javits Gifted and Talented Education Act Funding:
The omnibus bill included $11.11 million for the Javits program‹the same amount approved by the House. The Senate had approved $12.11 million, but negotiators accepted the lower figure. In an era of huge federal deficits, and lacking White House support, obtaining funding for the Javits program is an important victory for gifted education advocates.

Advanced Placement Programs: The Congress approved $30 million for the advanced placement incentive and test fee waiver programs for 2005, an increase of approximately $7 million over fiscal year 2004. Grant applications for both programs are available now; the test fee program application deadline is December 12, 2004; the incentive program deadline is January 5, 2005. Both grant announcements were posted on November 9. You can access them through the legislative update page on the NAGC website at www.nagc.org or by searching for 'advanced placement' on the Department of Education's website at www.ed.gov.

(2) IDEA: The Congress approved the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which adds gifted and talented students who are disabled to the groups of students whose needs have priority in U.S. Department of Education grants to guide research, personnel preparation, and technical assistance. This is the first time that IDEA acknowledges the needs of twice-exceptional children. NAGC will work with the Council for Exceptional Children on ways in which we might utilize this new language to influence the Department of Education. See the NAGC website (legislative update) for information on the new learning disabilities provision in IDEA.