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Broadening the Excused Absence Rule
On May 6th, the Rules Committee of the State Board of Education met to discuss several agenda items. Of particular note, the committee discussed Rule 160-5-1-.10 that clarifies an excused absence could include any other absence not explicitly defined in the current rules at the local board's discretion .
The committee also had discussion to amend Rule 160-4-2-.20 so that once a course is approved by the SBOE, it is also approved to add to the list of state-funded K-8 subjects and 9-12 courses. The amendment allows courses to be added to the list of state funded courses on an ongoing basis without awaiting approval by the SBOE for a second time. This amendment is in the initiation phase, so it will be discussed at the next meeting for approval. The amendment also adds 10 new Advanced Placement Capstone courses and deletes three middle school pathway courses in the area of mechanical occupations. CLICK HERE for the full list of courses to be voted on next month.
During the Federal Update delivered by Dr. Howard Hendley, the Director of Policy at GaDOE, committee members discussed the progress of the re-authorization of ESEA by the US Congress. According to Dr. Hendley and State Superintendent Richard Woods, Congress is nearing an agreement on re-authorization. Both are encouraged that a deal will be reached in the near future. CLICK HERE to read the full report. CLICK HERE for the US Department of Ed's Homeroom blog for more information on the ESEA Reauthorization.
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Update on the June 30th System Flexibility Deadline
The District Flexibility and Charter Schools Committee met at the same time as the Rules Committee. During the meeting, an update on the status of the system flexibility June 30th deadline was provided. So far, 131 districts have met the deadline with 31 approved charter systems, 4 approved IE2 systems, 2 status quo systems, 17 letters of intent for charter systems, and 77 letters of intent for IE2 systems. To view this report in more detail, CLICK HERE.
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May is Teacher Appreciation Month in Georgia
On May 7th, the Committee of the Whole of the SBOE was opened with an inspirational message by Dr. Phil Lanoue, the Superintendent of Clarke County Schools and recently-named National Superintendent of the Year. The previously mentioned rule regarding student absences was opened up for public comment, but no one spoke to the rule.
Woods then provided the Superintendent's Report which consisted of the reading of resolutions by the SBOE and Governor Deal declaring May as Teacher Appreciation Month. There were also presentations on the Education Reform Commission's work so far as well as information about CTAE programs, school climate initiatives, and the implementation process of the Georgia Milestones assessment.
The SBOE then moved into the regular business meeting beginning with the approval of the consent agenda of all committee items. Those items can be viewed HERE.
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