HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2013-4640, by Representative Maxwell

     WHEREAS, One hundred thousand Washington State children and youth are gifted and talented; and
     WHEREAS, Without appropriate support, these children have high dropout rates, between 15 and 30%, and a number of other risk factors; and
     WHEREAS, K-12 Highly Capable students are present in all cultural and linguistic groups, across all socioeconomic strata, co-exist with all manner of disabling conditions both visible and invisible, and manifest across all areas of human endeavor; and
     WHEREAS, Highly Capable students perform, or show potential for performing, at significantly advanced levels when compared with others of their age, experience, or environments. Outstanding capabilities are seen within students' general intellectual aptitudes, specific academic abilities, creative productivities within a specific domain, and leadership skills; and
     WHEREAS, Education for all students must include opportunities to nurture and support learning at the highest levels, laying the foundation for positive outcomes for all students; and
     WHEREAS, Research-based teaching practices drawn from gifted education can be used to enhance learning for students in their strength areas, and will have a positive impact on all students; and
     WHEREAS, High-end learning with a focus on expanding excellence will lead to a more highly qualified workforce ready to address the challenges we currently face and the ones we will certainly face in the future; and
     WHEREAS, Maximum development of each individual's intellectual and creative powers ensures the challenges of the future will more likely be met; and
     WHEREAS, Washington has tens of thousands of gifted and talented children, whose full potential can be tapped only through the farsighted cooperation of education, community, and government; and
     WHEREAS, Governor Inslee proclaimed March 19, 2013, as Gifted Education Day in Washington State;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives celebrate Gifted Education Day; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.