The Administration released its FY2020 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Education, which states the “budget protects our most vulnerable students by requesting level-funding for Title I and IDEA,” yet proposes elimination of the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program.

The Javits program is the only dedicated federal funding stream committed specifically to gifted and talented students. It has proven to be particularly important in our efforts to support the vulnerable minority and low-income gifted students who are too often overlooked.

“Supporting gifted and talented children, particularly those from underserved backgrounds, is a basic equity issue,” said Sally Krisel, Board President of the National Association for Gifted Children. “A study from the National Center for Research on Gifted Education showed that minority children living in poverty who are performing at the same level as their gifted peers are 250% less likely to be identified for and served in gifted programs. We must do better to reverse this inequity in educational opportunities for our nation’s most able students.

“Additionally, we know voters overwhelmingly support providing federal funding for gifted and talented education. In 2018, the Institute for Educational Advancement released a bipartisan poll conducted by the Winston Group and Benenson Strategy Group that found eight out of ten registered voters support increased federal funding for gifted and talented education.”

“While the $12 million directed to the Javits program is miniscule in the overall FY20 budget, its influence is significant,” said Krisel. “Maintaining Javits funding will empower educators to implement effective practices that make a difference in the lives of all gifted and talented children.

“On a more positive note, we are hopeful that the $300 million investment in Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grants will give teachers access to professional development opportunities on  identifying gifted students from diverse backgrounds and to increase equity of access to quality programming.”

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The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) is a membership organization whose mission is to support those who enhance the growth and development of gifted and talented children through education, advocacy, community building, and research. 

CONTACT:  Cathleen Healy, [email protected]/202-365-4636

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