More highly capable students will receive education funding through an amendment adopted today by the Senate.

“The definition of basic education should include funding for all levels of learning, including highly capable students,” Roach said.

Roach’s amendment to the new definition of Basic Education added funding for gifted programs. The Senate passed the amendment unanimously.

“Every child should have the opportunity to reach his or her potential,” said Roach.

Sen. Roach supports foreign language instruction at an elementary school level. “Arabic, Punjabi, Chinese, and Spanish should be modern language offerings,” said Roach, who led a legislative delegation to China in 2007. Roach stated the purpose of the self-funded trip was to study Chinese language instruction and culture.

“Hopefully, in future years, we will give more language offerings to students,” added Roach.

Amendment 394 funds the highly capable program at the current level of funding in the appropriations act, which is 2.134 percent of a school district’s student enrollment.

ESHB 2261, concerning the state’s education system, passed the Senate with a 26-23 vote. Roach voted yes.