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| Where is the 2009 CRCT Erasure Analysis "straight talk"?
a message from Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones
Across the country people have been talking about the Georgia 2009 CRCT and the erasure analysis. Some of you may be wondering why your superintendent hasn't talked about it in this publication. After all, he's talked about everything else.
The main reason I haven't talked about it before is because I wanted to make sure I knew what I was talking about. Now I'm ready to talk.
Let me begin by saying it's unfortunate that we are in this situation.
Last year's (2009) CRCT was supposed to become a baseline year for CRCT erasures so we would have a baseline for comparison. It spiraled out of control.
One should always be diligent and get information correct before speaking. I don't think that we as a state did that. But here we are.
So let me share with you what has happened.
We were notified that 4 (26%) of our schools were identified as schools of concern. We had 2 schools in the severe concern category and two schools in the minimum concern category.
I didn't want anyone to think that there was a cover-up with our CRCT erasures. So we went above and beyond what was required.
First, while we were only required to investigate severe concern schools, we decided to investigate the schools of minimum concern as an additional step.
Second, because the investigation was on-going, contract renewal recommendations of the flagged teachers at the schools in the severe concern category were initially withheld pending the outcome of the investigation.
While I understand that this may have made those teachers angry, it was a necessary step in the process.
The third thing we did was implement a district better-seeking solution team to analyze what happened. This team consisted of not just central office people, but also testing coordinators, a teacher from each school, and school counselors.
They identified what we believe to be some high-leverage causes that needed addressing. These causes included:
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Teachers administrating tests to their own children,
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Test taking strategies
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Proctor availability, and
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Test security issues.
Based on their recommendations, our deputy superintendent issued a memorandum to principals on March 10 covering the changes we are implementing to make certain this doesn't happen again.
Our goal is that the Griffin-Spalding County School System will have no schools of concern on the 2010 CRCT.
Therefore, we are continuing to investigate.
We've requested last year's student answer sheets be sent to the State Office of Student Achievement. A team from our system will review these sheets under that office's supervision. This way, we can look for other issues.
We see this as an opportunity to implement our new protocol for team-based improvement. Hopefully your principals have talked to you about this process that we have in place.
We've taken this seriously. Let's tell people in the community we did a thorough investigation. Let's use this opportunity to clear our name.
We interviewed teachers, administrators, test coordinators, students, and proctors. We're confident of our investigation process.
We believe that our student test scores are consistent and free of cheating and that no cheating occurred that can be tied directly to teachers, administrators or testing coordinators.
Therefore, at the next board of education meeting, the vast majority of those teachers whose names did not appear on the previous agenda to be recommended for contract renewal will have their names there.
We've involved many of you to help us identify the causes. I'm going to ask for your help one more time. As we go through the implementation of the new testing protocols, be aware that the eyes of Georgia are upon us.
We will send a report to the Office of Student Achievement after we look at our test sheets in a couple of weeks. I'm confident that Griffin-Spalding County School System teachers and educators did what they were supposed to do.
And you know what? Today I don't need to dare you to do better. |
| Hidden benefits of working in the Griffin-Spalding County School System
a message from the Human Resources Department
We all know we receive benefits for working for the Griffin-Spalding County School System. From health insurance to being with our families on Christmas to that amazing feeling we get from seeing a child succeed, some benefits are obvious.
We also have some hidden benefits.
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Certified Employees
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Collectively paid $132,923 towards health insurance.
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The school system paid $632,094 towards certified employees' health insurance.
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Classified Employees
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Collectively paid $100,569 towards health insurance.
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The school system paid $101,700 towards classified employees' health.
You may be asking, "Why does the school system pay so much more for certified employees' health insurance?"
The answer is because the employer portion of certified employee health insurance is based on salary, whereas the system plays a flat fee for classified employees.
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Every employee receives $10,000 of life insurance purchased by the board of education at no cost to the employee.
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In addition, the board provides "AD&D" - Accidental Death and Dismemberment. This insurance provides additional coverage.
Dental Insurance
- The board of education contributes $5.50 per month toward an individual employee's dental health plan. The employee pays the remaining portion.
TRS - The Teacher Retirement System
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The board of education currently matches 9.74% of each employee's salary for employees enrolled in the TRS program.
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Starting July 2010, the board of education will contribute 10.28%.
Workers' Compensation Program
In the event of a work-related injury, the Griffin-Spalding County School System supports an employee through the process of filing a claim securing medical care as needed and returning to work as quickly and safely as possible.
The Griffin-Spalding County School System is self-insured. That means that all costs associated with our workers compensation program are paid through the system's general operating budget.
We work very hard to support our employees in this process while still trying to control costs, so that the system can realize the biggest benefits for everyone.
So, what's important to remember?
- Check every paycheck stub.
When you receive your paycheck or direct deposit receipt, review your deductions. If you think you're supposed to be paying for a certain benefit and it's not listed, please check with human resources.
- Be Safe.
Always be careful at work! Many injures are preventable with a little more awareness and caution. No one can do your job like you do, and we need you here and healthy to do it.
We're glad you work for the Griffin-Spalding County School System.
We hope this helps you better understand your employment benefits. |
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Job Fair to be held April 1, 2010
The Griffin-Spalding County School System will be hosting a job fair Thursday, April 1, 2010 in the Griffin High School commons from 3:30-6:00 P.M.
This fair is open to anyone interesting in applying for a teaching or other certified position with the school system.
"The school system will hire a limited number of talented teachers for the 2010-2011 school year. Applicants should bring several copies of their resumes and references. Every school will interview candidates during the job fair," said Stephanie Dobbins, Assistant Director of Human Resources.
For more information regarding the job fair or entering the teaching profession, please contact the Human Resources Department at (770)229-3710 ext. 375 or ext. 353 or at humanresources@gscs.org.
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Coming soon!
 Flexible Benefit Open Enrollment - Please click here to see when benefits specialist Christina Crane will visit your location.
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The GSCS Job Fair
April 1, 2010
3:30 - 6:00pm
Griffin High School | |
the gscs
