Senate Education Committee Meets to Hear from Many
on Testing and Evaluation Reform
It was packed in the Senate Education Committee meeting today. The committee heard testimony on SB 364, which seeks to reform Georgia's student testing and educator evaluation programs. The bill is sponsored by Senate Ed Chairman Lindsey Tippins (R-Marietta) who announced at the start of the meeting that he anticipates that the committee will vote on the legislation on Monday, Feb. 22. Read PAGE'S initial analysis of SB 364 and a related bill HERE. Tippins predicted that the committee would revise the legislation over the next few days and encouraged the submission of constructive criticism.
When Tippins walked committee members through his bill, he framed SB 364 as an attempt to bring Georgia's testing program in line with reduced federal testing mandates. He said his intention is to untie the hands of local districts and to move teachers out of compliance mode with regard to student testing.
Eighteen speakers addressed the committee. All but one spoke in strong support. A representative from the Georgia chapter of Students First told the committee that his organization's goal is to ensure that teachers are properly evaluated and that Students First has "concerns" about SB 364. He did not elaborate on any of the organization's concerns. State School Superintendent Richard Woods testified in support of the legislation as did former Georgia Teacher of the Year Amanda Miliner, who referenced a letter of support that she and other former Teachers of the Year submitted regarding the bill. Advocates speaking on behalf of PAGE, other teacher organizations, TRAGIC, school leaders, school boards, school superintendents, Regional Education Service Agencies (RESAs) all testified in support of the bill. The most powerful testimony in support of testing and evaluation reform came from several teachers, retired educators, and concerned parents who made a special trip to the Capitol to speak at the hearing. Read the AJC's report HERE. Educators and other stakeholders are strongly encouraged to submit constructive feedback on SB 364 now. After an amended version of the legislation passes the Senate Education Committee on Monday, its next hurdle will be the Senate Rules Committee which must agree to pass SB 364 for a vote by the full Senate. This Senate floor vote must occur by Monday, Feb. 29, the 30th Legislative Day ("Crossover Day") in order for this important testing and evaluation reform to remain viable.
After the discussion on SB 364, the Senate Education Committee considered two additional bills, though no vote was taken on either. SB 353 by Sen. Ben Watson (R-Savannah) would limit the training requirements for charter board members, and SB 328 by Sen. Emanuel Jones (D-Decatur) would limit the amount of time students could spend at an alternative school. Chairman Tippins indicated that both bills may come up for a vote at Friday's Senate Education meeting.
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