Sample Letter From You To Elected Officials printable pdf download

SAMPLE LETTER FROM YOU TO ELECTED OFFICIALS

Your Name

Your Address

Your Phone and email

Date

Name of Representative

Representative's Address

Representative's Phone and Email

Dear __________________,

Every child in New York State deserves to optimize his or her potential, including those children capable

of the highest levels of achievement. If every child optimized his or her potential, our entire society

would benefit.

I am writing to inform you that right now there is legislation in the State Senate and Assembly which

could begin to help New York State optimize the potential of its high-ability learners ("gifted and

talented" as well as "twice exceptional" students). One of the bills (S1874-2013/A1524-2013) directs that

all teachers be trained in the education of gifted students and provides start-up funding for such training.

Two other key pieces of legislation are

A4745-2013/S3389-2013

and S1875-2013/A1522-2013.

These bills will ensure that teachers and administrators are provided with the training, tools, and support

they need to promote high-achievement. They also ensure that all students who are identified as "gifted

and talented" (including those who are "twice exceptional") by their school districts receive sufficient

appropriate educational opportunities that would include services delivered by a certified "gifted

education" professional along with expanded acceleration opportunities. These bills will additionally

ensure sufficient appropriate education for "twice exceptional" students. This category of special

education student often does not receive the education needed to thrive and reach his/her full potential.

Specialized teaching methods and approaches are needed for these students who are both "gifted" and

who also have learning differences covered by Federal IDEA laws. Also, these bills call for the education

commissioner to establish an advisory council consisting of at least ten members on the education of

highly capable/high-ability/"gifted" students as well as "twice- exceptional" pupils.

Passage of these bills is critical to provide both appropriate instructional opportunities and educational

equity for diverse high-ability students from all areas of New York State in every school district,

particularly in these tight budget times when districts remove services not protected by legislation.

The attached "7 Reasons" hyperlinked fact sheet provides additional reasons to support high-achievement

in New York State. Please read it to get a deeper sense of why the high-ability learners and highly

capable students in every school district statewide need your support.

I strongly urge and sincerely hope that you will support these bills and any legislation which promotes

skill and talent development to the fullest extent. Diverse high-ability students throughout our state are

depending on you to help them, receive appropriate educational opportunities that will allow them to

reach their full potential. New York State employers are depending on this legislation in order to fill

New York State jobs with home grown New York State talent!

Sincerely,

Sample Letter From You To Elected Officials