Public education is bound by the limits of its funding source — our tax dollars. Restricting measures such as No Child Left Behind have only served to narrow the options available to our gifted students. While we have excellent teachers who work hard to meet all needs, the truth is there are not enough resources to be everything for everyone.

As a booster of public education who volunteers my time to do fundraising for Ventura's schools, I am often asked how it came to be that one of my children is enrolled in a private school, The Thacher School in Ojai. While my daughter was in middle school, her counselor handed her an application packet from a wonderful organization, The Institute for Educational Advancement in Pasadena.

What does the average parent of a gifted student do? Be an advocate for your child's education. You can start by looking for alternatives within the public schools.

Ventura Unified School District has excellent alternative programs that are offered to students countywide. El Camino High School has a unique program that allows students to take classes at Ventura College. Homestead School offers the best of both worlds for homeschooling parents who wish to take an active role in developing their child's curriculum.

As Sara's letter demonstrated, gifted children who are not adequately challenged and inspired can eventually turn off on school altogether. But when their natural talents are allowed to progress and grow, they may very well be their generation's next leaders.

— Marie Lakin, Ventura