SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SJM 8019

              As Passed Senate, February 10, 2000

Brief Description:  Petitioning Congress to consider formula grants for gifted and talented education programs in its reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Sponsors:  Senators Eide, Patterson, Johnson, Kohl‑Welles, Rasmussen, McDonald, McAuliffe, Sellar, Roach, Kline, B. Sheldon and Gardner.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  2/2/2000 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/10/2000, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Bauer, Brown, Goings, Rasmussen, Swecker and Zarelli.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

  Signed by Senator Hochstatter.

Staff:  Kelly Simpson (786-7403)

Background:  Currently, the U.S. Congress is considering the Gifted and Talented Students Education Act of 1999.  This bill would authorize the Secretary of Education to make grants to states for use by public schools to develop or expand gifted and talented education programs.

Summary of Bill:  The President of the United States and Congress are encouraged to include grants to states for gifted and talented education programs when considering reauthorization of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Testimony For:  Gifted and talented education programs for students are not being adequately funded.  This memorial would help urge the federal government to provide more resources for these important programs.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Schual-Berke; Andrea Maloy, Central Kitsap School District; Kayleen Prichard, WAETAG, Everett Public School; Rebecca Motola-Barnes, Katie Willcockson, Michael Willcockson, Michael Motola-Barnes, Tacoma District #10; Anna Quinn, LWSD student; Connie Baesman, NWGCA Gifted Coalition; Rachel Seeley, LWSD student.