Young, Polis introduce TALENT Act

School-Education PhotoFrom Press Release

 

Last week Congressman David Young (R-IA 3) and his colleague – Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) introduced H.R. 2960: To Aid Gifted and High-Ability Learners by Empowering the Nation’s Teachers Act. This legislation looks to meet the growing needs of our talented and gifted students in underserved settings and rural communities by strengthening the education programs that provide critical professional development for our nation’s teachers.

“In Iowa and across the country we have exceptionally gifted students who are not reaching their full potential. We simply are not maximizing their abilities in the classroom, but the TALENT Act changes that and it is good policy. It does not cost more money and it gives states and local school districts the tools they need to fully embrace the abilities of this younger generation,” Rep. Young said. “I am glad to join my colleague Rep. Jared Polis in co-sponsoring this legislation in the House. It will empower our students with opportunities and maximize their potential to be the next round of leaders.”

The Senate version of the TALENT Act was introduced in February by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD). Both pieces of legislation place an emphasis on assisting general education teachers and other school personnel with the tools they need to better understand how to identify and react to the needs of high ability students.

Supporters of the bill include the National Center for Learning Disabilities and the National Association for Gifted Children.