Leaders Discuss Ed at GA Chamber Event - Governor Mentions OSD, But Not ERC
Day Two of the Georgia General Assembly started with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce's annual Eggs and Issues breakfast at the Georgia World Congress Center. Sen. Johnny Isakson addressed the large gathering of business leaders, legislators, and lobbyists.  US Sen. Johnny Isakson
Gov. Deal followed Isakson and described state economic growth during his administration. He mentioned several career-ready education initiatives and spoke at length about his Opportunity School District Plan, which he asked local leaders to support. Notably, the Governor did not mention the recent work of his Education Reform Commission (ERC), an indication that school funding changes proposed by the ERC along with controversial changes to teacher pay, may not move through the General Assembly in 2016, which is also an election year.
Gov. Nathan Deal
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Cagle and Ralston on Schools and Teachers
Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and House Speaker David Ralston both focused heavily on education during their addresses to the Chamber audience. Cagle touted his career-ready education programs and his charter school system policies. He also said that a strong education system is one that "values the teacher."
Ralston expressed optimism about the upcoming legislative session, and, interestingly, made reference to the ERC, though the Governor did not. Ralston described the formation of the ERC as a "bold step," but stopped short of endorsing any ERC recommendations or referencing the recommendation's movement through the legislature. The Speaker described his recent town hall meetings with local educators. He said he learned a lot and that he intends to keep educators in mind as the 2016 Session progresses.
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State of the State Tomorrow - Stay Tuned for Governor's Address and Budget Release
The Governor's annual State of the State address is tomorrow at 11am. Follow the coverage on Georgia Public Broadcasting. Gov. Deal will outline his budgetary and policy goals for the session.
Also, the Governor's office will release his recommended state budget this week. State revenues are up, and it's an election year, so the budget is likely to contain a proposed pay increase for public employees, including teachers. The state budget will wind its way through the House and Senate and is likely to undergo many changes before becoming final.
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PAGE 2016 Legislative Survey
This past fall, PAGE surveyed more than 6,300 Georgia educators on issues expected to come up during the 2016 session of the Georgia General Assembly. Much of the survey centered on recommendations made by Gov. Deal's Education Reform Commission.
More than 70 percent of survey respondents are veteran classroom teachers with more than 10 years of service. Of the respondents, 65 percent said they are unlikely to remain in education for the next 10 years. Almost the same percentage would not recommend a career in education - creating further concern for an increased shortage of teachers.
Georgia's practice of basing educator evaluations on student standardized test scores garnered the highest level of opposition from survey respondents. Educators also strongly oppose converting the Teacher Retirement System to a defined contribution plan from a defined benefit plan. Increasing educator participation in decisions related to the State Health Benefit Plan received strong support.
An overwhelming 83 percent of educators believe that the continuation of austerity cuts proposed in the new school funding formula will be detrimental to their students. Comments from educators included the following:
- "The state is not fully funding education and local districts are not able to close the gap. Teachers are being asked to do more with less funding."
- "Austerity cuts take much-needed funds away from local school districts. This leads to increased class sizes, lack of updated and appropriate instructional materials, and facilities that are in need of repair and maintenance."
- "The continued austerity cuts hamper our system's ability to provide current technology to our students."
- "The move to online testing has pushed the limits of our available technology."
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