2013 Friend of the Gifted

November 22, 2013
Left to Right: Bianka Kortland-Cox, Former Pres. CAG, Katie Augustyn, Past President CAG, Mike Rizzo, President CAG, Westport Director of Special Education, Beverly Katz, Exec. Dir. CAG, Sen. Boucher in forefront.

Left to Right: Bianka Kortland-Cox, Former Pres. CAG, Katie Augustyn, Past President CAG, Mike Rizzo, President CAG, Westport Director of Special Education, Beverly Katz, Exec. Dir. CAG, Sen. Boucher in forefront.

Sen. Boucher: gifted and talented students should be allowed to learn here live here.

Hartford, CT – Senator Toni Boucher (R-Wilton) Ranking Member of the Education Committee, was honored to receive the 2013 Friend of the Gifted Award on Thursday November 21. The ceremony took place in Westport where Boucher was joined by Elliott Landon, Westport Superintendent, John Pellino, President Connecticut Association for the Gifted (CAG).

“This recognition is greatly appreciated,” said Sen. Boucher. “My hope is to continue to foster the best policies for our high ability students.”

Sen. Boucher fought for appropriate level of instruction for high achieving students, and gave a voice to advocates of personalized education for all students, including high ability and academically advanced students.

In 2013, Senator Boucher proposed a bill to establish an Academically Gifted Advancement Program in Connecticut. Gifted 11th graders could take a qualifying test and apply to waive their final year of high school, allowing students to begin college early. Senator Boucher hoped this program would put special emphasis on math, science and engineering, recognizing the need for highly skilled workers in Connecticut in these STEM areas.

Senator Boucher stated, “It would be wonderful to foster this learning pipeline early and allow our gifted and talented students the opportunity to learn and live here in Connecticut.”

The Connecticut Association for the Gifted, founded in 1969, is the pre-eminent parent, teacher, and school resource and legislative advocate for Connecticut’s gifted and talented students. CAG provides parents with information and resources to benefit their talented children, educators with high quality professional development, and Boards of Education with the tools to support talented students. Visit www.ctgifted.org.