S.F. No. 4256 Summary

• Changes gifted and talented programs from optional ("may") to mandatory ("must") for school districts, requiring identification, program development, staff development, and program evaluation.

• Increases per-pupil gifted and talented funding from $13 to $39 per adjusted pupil unit for each school district.

• Requires school districts to use research-supported universal screening with multiple criteria and assessment practices sensitive to underrepresented groups including low-income, minority, twice-exceptional, and English learners.

• Mandates school districts adopt procedures for academic acceleration and early kindergarten/first grade admission for gifted and talented students, with procedures sensitive to underrepresented populations.

• Requires districts to report student performance data across four achievement quartiles, parent/student/educator satisfaction rates, and itemized spending on identification, programming, professional development, and accountability measures.