[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S12874]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. GRASSLEY:
  S. 2650. A bill to give gifted and talented students the opportunity 
to develop their capabilities; to the Committee on Labor and Human 
Resources.


           gifted and talented students education act of 1998

 Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I am introducing the Gifted and 
Talented Students Education Act of 1998. This legislation would provide 
block grants to the states to provide educational programs that focus 
on and are tailored to the needs of gifted and talented students.
  The needs of gifted and talented students are often misunderstood. 
Too often we believe that all we need to do for gifted and talented 
students is to put them on an accelerated course of study. However, 
that is not sufficient. Gifted and talented students think and look at 
the world in a unique way. Therefore, their educational agenda must be 
tailored to the thought processes gifted and talented students employ. 
Currently, our nation's education system does not do so. This is due in 
part, to a lack of resources available in schools across the country.
  My legislation, which has been offered in the House of 
Representatives by Congressman Elton Gallegly of California would 
provide block grants to state education agencies to identify gifted and 
talented students from all economic, ethnic and racial backgrounds--
including students of limited English proficiency and those with 
disabilities. Funding would be based on each state's student 
population, but each state would receive at least $1 million.
  This legislation would leave the decision on how best to serve these 
students to state and local officials. I have always believed that 
state and local officials, working with parents, are in a much better 
position than bureaucrats in Washington to know what their students 
need to succeed. I have also always believed that the most effective 
education spending is that which goes directly to the students. That's 
why this bill caps administrative costs at 10 percent.
  So while the funds in this measure can't be used for bureaucracy, it 
can be used for items such as professional development for teachers; 
counselors and administrators; innovation of programs and services for 
high-ability students and for developing emerging technologies such as 
distance learning and other initiatives. It is my hope this measure 
will give educators the resources and the flexibility they need to meet 
the needs of gifted and talented students.
  Mr. President, our nation's gifted and talented are among our great 
untapped resources. We must focus on the needs of these students so 
that their particular gifts can flourish and be fully realized. I am 
aware Mr. President that at this late date, this measure will not pass. 
However, I hope introduction of this bill will help shed some light on 
the needs of the gifted and talented and force a much-needed national 
conversation about the tremendous potential that we are allowing to go 
undeveloped. While this measure will obviously not receive any further 
action before the end of the 105th Congress, it is my sincere hope that 
introduction of this bill will be the beginning of a new era in 
educating the gifted and talented.
                                 ______