The first of five education-themed legislative listening sessions kicked off in Newnan, GA last night. The session, which lasted until 9 pm, was well attended by legislators, educators, representatives from professional organizations, staff from the Georgia Department of Education, a State Board of Education member, and concerned citizens.
The following legislators attended the listening session:
Rep. Joyce Chandler (R-Grayson)
Senator Mike Crane (R-Newnan)
Rep. Margaret Kaiser (D-Atlanta)
House Ed Committee Chair Brooks Coleman (R-Duluth)
Senate Ed Committee Chair Lindsey Tippins (R-Marietta)
Rep. Mike Dudgeon (R-Johns Creek)
Rep. Tom Dickson (R-Cohutta)
Rep. Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper)
Rep. Valerie Clark (R-Lawrenceville)
Rep. Lynn Smith (R-Newnan)
PAGE Survey & Testimony
PAGE staff focused testimony on the results of our ongoingEducation Policy Survey, in which over 3400 Georgia educators have participated, thus far. PAGE also shared information from Coweta, Carroll, Clayton, Douglas, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, and Troup counties regarding state education budget cuts and the rise of economically disadvantaged students. School-system-specific information from the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute’s recent Schoolhouse Squeeze Report was distributed to legislators and was helpful in describing the increasing economic pressure on school systems caused by state budget cuts and decreased local property tax revenue.
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Economically Disadvantaged FY 2013
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Economically Disadvantaged FY 2003-2013
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State Funds Per FTE 2002-2014 Inflation Adjusted
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Educators Share Personal Stories
About a dozen local educators addressed educators. Many expressed concern regarding budget cuts and the impact on students and educators. Teachers’ and administrators’frustration with doing “more with less” was a common theme. Access to technology, CTAE programs, and frustration with shorter school years, was also mentioned.
Common Core Controversy
Several citizens who appeared to be affiliated with the Tea Party spoke with legislators regarding their concerns about Common Core standards. Several mentioned that they home school their children but are worried that Common Core is an untenable federal mandate, that the standards will “dumb down” Georgia curriculum, and that the standards are too expensive to implement. They requested that legislators support pending legislation targeting Common Core. Sponsored by Senator William Ligon (R-Brunswick), SB 167 would allow Georgia to opt out of the Common Core, and SB 203 would convene the Curriculum Content Standards Advisory Council.
Return to Elected Superintendents?
At the conclusion of the session, legislators expressed their desire to work with educators to improve public education. Rep. Jasperse described his proposed constitutional amendment HR 550, which would allow local communities to return to a system in which they elect local school superintendents. Not unexpectedly, this idea seemed unpopular with superintendents in the audience.
Upcoming Sessions
Two listening sessions are planned for next week.Educators and local school board members are encouraged to attend. Check out the list for a meeting in your area:
Oct 8: University of North GA, Health & Natural Sciences Auditorium, Dahlonega
Oct 10: GA Gwinnett College Library, Building L,Lawrenceville
PAGE’S Core Business is to provide professional learning for educators that will enhance professional competence and confidence, build leadership qualities and lead to higher academic achievement for students, while providing the best in membership, legislative, and legal services and support. |
