April 29th, 2015                     
Table of Contents
Ethics Division
Certification and Ed Prep Divisions
Legislative Update
Georgia Professional Standards Commission Meeting
April 2015

The following topics were discussed during the Georgia Professional Standards Commission's ("GaPSC") monthly meeting on April 9, 2015:

Ethics Division   

While listed as a possible sanction for a violation for the Code of Ethics for Educators, the GaPSC rarely issues warnings to certificate-holders accused of unethical conduct.

 

A teacher who allegedly abandoned her contract was given a 90 days suspension.  The educator felt she worked in a hostile work environment but there was no evidence she ever shared that concern with administration.  Furthermore, she did not formally resign or request to be released from her contract.

 

The Commission recommended a revocation for a teacher accused of "grooming" a middle school student.  "Grooming" is commonly used to describe a situation where an adult establishes an inappropriate, but not necessarily overtly sexual, relationship with a minor, for the purpose of developing a sexual relationship in the future.

 

The GaPSC recommended a five days suspension for an educator accused of inadequate supervision of students.  As the lights were dimmed in the classroom, students allegedly performed sexual acts while covered by a jacket.  The educator maintains he did not see the misconduct.

 

A one year suspension was issued to a teacher who allegedly falsified records regarding the dispensation of medication to a student. 

 

An assistant principal (AP) and teacher were accused of having an affair.  The AP received a five days suspension; the teacher received a reprimand.

 

The Commission recommended a 20 days suspension for a counselor who is accused of knowing about an allegation of child abuse two days before she eventually reported it to law enforcement/DFACS.

 

An educator who tested positive for marijuana after falling at school was given a 15 days suspension.  The educator claims that while she did not smoke marijuana, her significant other smoked it, and she may have inhaled second-hand smoke from him.  The Commission conceded that that explanation was plausible.

Certification and Ed Prep Divisions   


There were no certification or educator preparation rules that were previewed, initiated or adopted.

Legislative Update     

 

While the bill was not discussed at the meeting, HB164, a bill sponsored by Rep. Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta) on behalf of the GaPSC, passed during the 2015 session. The bill extends the moratorium on educator PLU requirements until 2017.

Leonard Williams - Staff Attorney



          


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