The State Board of Education (SBOE) met on March 30 for committee meetings and March 31 for the full board meeting.
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Controversial Social Studies Standards Delayed;
Science Standards Approved
The SBOE held public hearings on proposed new social studies and science standards. Four people spoke in favor of the proposed science standards which were approved by the board at the meeting.
Many educators expressed concerns with the proposed social studies standards stating the finished product did not look like the feedback provided to the GaDOE during the review process. Educators also expressed concerns that the department was catering more to the requests of legislators based on a letter addressed to State Superintendent Richard Woods from Sen. William Ligon (R-Brunswick) sharing his concerns with the originally proposed standards.
At the Rules Committee meeting last Wednesday, committee members also expressed their concerns, and recommended that the approval of the standards be delayed for further review. The board approved this delay at the full SBOE meeting on Thursday.
CLICK HERE to read more about the controversy surrounding the standards.
CLICK HERE for the AJC article explaining the delay of the standards.
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District Flexibility Update
The SBOE approved 19 new Strategic Waiver School System (SWSS) contracts at the meeting:
- Baker County Schools
- Ben Hill County Schools
- Burke County Schools
- Calhoun County Schools
- Douglas County Schools
- Effingham County Schools
- Emanuel County Schools
- Hall County Schools
- Harris County Schools
- Houston County Schools
- Lanier County Schools
- Laurens County Schools
- Pulaski County Schools
- Savannah-Chatham County Schools
- Twiggs County Schools
- Telfair County Schools
- Valdosta City Schools
- Ware County Schools
- Wayne County Schools
The approval of these contracts brings the total number of SWSS systems to 109 with 27 letters of intent from systems seeking SWSS status. There are 36 Charter districts with six letters of intent. CLICK HERE for a complete list of where each district stands as of March 31.
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Other Updates
Superintendent Woods asked House Education Committee Chairman Brooks Coleman (R-Duluth) and Senate Education and Youth Committee Chairman Lindsey Tippins (R-Marietta) to speak to the board about the 2016 legislative session and what they expect to be addressed in 2017.
Chairman Coleman focused much of his time on the upcoming legislative session and the anticipated introduction of legislation seeking to codify recommendations made by Gov. Deal's Education Reform Commission. He also expressed his thanks to members of both the House and Senate for passing SB 364, critical testing and evaluation legislation currently awaiting the governor's signature.
Chairman Tippins centered his comments almost entirely on SB 364. He informed members of the SBOE of the intent of the legislation and the process required for it to become the bill it is today.
Finally, Superintendent Woods recognized Jim Puckett, a long-time educator and advocate for public education in Georgia, upon his announced retirement from the Georgia School Boards Association. PAGE has thoroughly enjoyed working with Jim over the years. His presence at the Capitol and at SBOE meetings will be greatly missed. Good luck in retirement, Jim!
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