To the editor:

I was disgusted seeing that the state thought special education funds were needed for the gifted children. Since they are already gifted, can get scholarships, be put in advanced placement classes at Kansas University through guidance counselors and get college credits or skip grades, why do they need special education funds?

They should be helping others who can’t learn as well, as teaching assistants, rather than feel that they aren’t getting enough or aren’t being challenged enough. If this is so, they can go to a private school and not expect the taxpayers to keep them from being bored in school. The school should arrange the education program for gifted students with KU. The answer is within the education program, not the funding. No wonder Kansas is one of only a few states that includes gifted children in the special needs classification. That’s ridiculous!

We had two children who were gifted and took advanced placement courses through the college and got college credit for them while they were in high school. So I know this is a doable thing.

Mary Ann Kieffer,

Lawrence