Senate Ed Passes Teacher Eval Overhaul

The Senate Education Committee passed HB 70 Thursday afternoon. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Rich Golick (R-Smyrna) and pertains to Georgia’s special needs voucher program. The bill allows the State Board of Education to waive the requirement that a student with special needs attend public school for at least a year before becoming eligible for a private school voucher. Students with special medical needs could bypass the attendance requirement, subject to approval by the SBOE.

The committee also passed HB 244, by Rep. Nix (R-LaGrange). The comprehensive overhaul of Georgia’s evaluation system mandates that all school districts adopt the new system by the 2014-2015 school year. PAGE testified on the bill today, citing survey results obtained from over 2000 educators piloting the new system.

A new version of the Title 20 rewrite bill, HB 283, also passed committee. It adds back funding for charter school systems, though it caps the total amount a system can receive at $4.5 million. Since it appears that the Flexibility and Accountability bill won’t move (see PAGE’S letter to legislators on this problematic legislation), language regarding Georgia’s three ie2 systems was also added. Now is the time in the session when language from bills which have been hung up for various reasons starts to appear in successfully moving legislation. HB 283 appears to be this season’s “Christmas Tree Bill,” meaning that language from other stalled bills is being added as HB 283 moves through the legislative process. The additions include items regarding violations of the Voting Rights Act by local school board members and a slight tweak of funding for charter school employees. It’s very possible that more amendments could be added as HB 283 moves along.

All bills will now move to the Senate Rules Committee for placement on the Senate voting calendar.

House Ed Passes Celebrate Freedom

The House Education Committee passed the following legislation which now moves to Rules for placement on the House voting calendar:

• SB 68 by Sen. Ligon (R-Brunswick) requires the recognition of Celebrate Freedom Week.
• SB 100 by Sen. Wilkinson (R-Toccoa) will reestablish the Career and Technical Education Advisory Commission.
• HR 552 by Rep. Chandler (R-Lawrenceville) urges the implementation of comprehensive school counseling programs.

New Gun Bill

Late last week, the House approved a new gun bill, to which several education provisions have been added. SB 101 allows local school boards to appoint school employees to carry guns at school. If the Senate disagrees with the House version of the bill, the legislation will go to conference committee.    

Senate Passes 2014 Budget

The Senate passed the FY 2014 Budget Friday afternoon. A conference committee will now be appointed to work out differences between the House and Senate versions. Access the Education portion of the Senate version of the budget HERE. 

WATCH “Legislative Week in Review” for more on education-related issues at the Capitol

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