**Note: I use to hold these next three (72, 73, & 74) articles out of the packet - but the crisis in our children's field is much too great for such timidity. - M.F.

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS DEPARTMENIT OF EDUCATION 199 Promenade Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02908 - (401) 331-0414

Fred G. Burke, Commissioner April 10, 1972

Mrs. Marie Freidel National Foundation for Gifted and Creative Children 395 Diamond Hill Road Warwick, Rhnode Island 02886

Dear Mrs. Freidel:

Your petition to Governor Frank Licht has been referred to me as most of the items come under the purview of our office and the Board of Regents.

Since the State Department of Education is interested in meeting the needs of all children, we are concerned about and are working to improve programming and provision for the needs of gifted children. During the last few years we have made strides in this direction, how- ever, we are very much aware that there is much more we must do.

Re: Item 1 of Petition - As Commissioner, I recently issued a lengthy directive to all Superintendents of Schools urging them to follow the state regulations on diagnostic procedures to prevent the abuse of so-called behavior control drugs, and to counsel them on the probability of school involvement in this matter. It is my belief that the institution should adapt itself to the needs of children and not the reverse. I encourage the nurturing of individual differences,in chil- dren when they are healthy and urge provision of special help when these differences interfere with youthful development.

Re: Item 2 of Petition - The beneficiary program for emotionally disturbed children is no longer under the aegis of the State Department of Education. This program is now under the Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals which is headed by Dr. Charles Goodman. It is their ultimate goal to provide for the needs of all emotionally disturbed children within the borders of our State. However, at the present time, neither public nor private facilities, are available to accommodate all of the children diagnosed as emotionally disturbed.

Mrs. Marie Friedel April 10, 1972 Page 2

There are at present sixteen (16) children from Rhode Island at Montanari, all of whom have been thoroughly diagnosed and for whom the Montanari school seemed to be the most appropriate placement.

Re: Item 3 of Petition - I do not know if you are aware of the fact that the regional program for Gifted Children in Warwick, East Providence and Cranston was one of 42 projects in the nation to receive an innovative project award. The award was made by the President's National Advisory Council on Supplementary Centers and Services. In addition, you might be interested to learn that Dr. Joseph Renzulli of the University of Con- necticut, who has published widely in the area of the Gifted and is highly regarded educator, is the consultant to this project. He and Dr. Francis X. Archambault and Dr. Dieter H. Paulus have recently completed a thorough evaluation of the program which indicated considerable progress in this area. Project Gifted is totally supported by federal funds and serves approximately 300 of the state's gifted and talented children.

Re: Item 4 of Petition - We now have a 12-member Advisory Council on the Gifted. Also three members who are child advocates for the gifted, have been appointed to the State Advisory Committee on Special Education. I shall relay your suggestion re Section 16-42-1 of the General Laws of Rhode Island to the Advisory Council on the Gifted for their consideration.

Re: Item 5 of the Petition - At the present time Rhode Island College does not include courses on the psychology of the gifted, although discussions are currently underway by appropriate members of the Department of Education and Rhode Island College staff on this matter. Moreover, a course is offered at the University of Rhode Island during the summer, and has been since 1969. In additon, it was offered during the school year of 1970-71. All personnel from Project Gifted took this course.

Re: Item 6 of the Petition - This matter does not fall within the Purview of the Board of Regents or the Department of Education.

I hope that I have given you some insight into the progress we have have been making,

Sincerely, FRED G. BURKE Commissioner

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