Deukmejian’s Education Budget

Let me be among the first to vehemently protest Deukmejian’s proposed elimination of funding for gifted and talented education in California.

Studies show that gifted children represent 3% of our country’s population--a percentage equal to the percentage of children who are classified as mentally retarded. Yet even before President Reagan abolished the Office of Gifted and Talented, research shows that the federal government was spending $1,000 for each disabled child, compared to $2.42 for each gifted one. Gifted children have been summarily dismissed by the federal government, and now they are ironically in danger of being sacrificed by a state that is historically known for its educational leadership.

I do not dispute the need for special programs accommodating children with learning problems, but how can we ignore the special needs of children at the other end of the spectrum? Those 2.5 million gifted children are tomorrow’s leaders, but only if they are nurtured and challenged today.

Gifted children have specific sensitivities of their own, and without programs attuned to their needs, they often lose their motivation, sublimate their gifts, contribute little to society, and even develop psychological problems. These children are so driven to succeed that the majority are vulnerable to collapse under mismanaged stress. Some studies show a high correlation with teen suicide.

Our gifted children need special attention from us now as much as we need their leadership tomorrow. Elimination of gifted education compromises our country’s future, and, worse, it seriously impairs our gifted children.

RONNIE GUNNERSON

Los Alamitos