TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A proposal to remove gifted children from the special education realm in Kansas has been abandoned after push back from gifted education advocates.
The Wichita Eagle reports that Republican state Rep. Sue Boldra said Tuesday that she planned to withdraw the proposal. Republican state Rep. Ron Highland, chairman of the House Committee on Education, said the bill wouldn’t have a hearing.
The bill could’ve gutted funding for gifted education and done away with protections for gifted students and their families.
Boldra said the idea wasn’t to eliminate gifted programs, but to separate them from special education. She said the topic could be taken up next year or in future sessions.
About 14,000 Kansas students are identified as intellectually gifted, meaning they’re approved to receive special-education services after assessments.
