Supporting Excellent Science Teaching for Georgia

GSTA has joined a coalition of Georgia teachers associations in supporting the state's CCGPS standards for ELA and Mathematics.  We believe these standards support learning for all of Georgia's students, and we hope to see the state continue moving forward to focus on supporting teachers and students in achieving the high expectations laid out in the CCGPS.  We look forward to working with Georgia's education policy makers to provide the best possible education for our students.  Please read our full statement on the AJC Get Schooled blog from Maureen Downey.  Please consider sharing this post in your personal and professional networks.  The following sites provide some useful background information related to the Common Core and to the Next Generation Science Standards.

[via Deborah White, GACIS] In related news, the State Board of Education held a called meeting today via conference call.  During that meeting, the Board unanimously approved the recommendation to post revisions to Georgia Performance Standards for ELA and Mathematics for 60 days for public review and comment.  During the brief meeting, Martha Reichrath shared the process used and groups involved during the review and drafting of the proposed revisions.  Board members’ comments centered on why some of the recommendations were addressed in the guidance document rather than the standards, why multiplication and division were not a stand-alone standard in the early grades, need to define “significant change” and concerns about teacher preparation programs not teaching the standards and how teachers who move to Georgia will be trained. You can view the proposed revisions by following the links below.

• Proposed Revisions to ELA Standards K-12
• Proposed Revisions to Mathematics Standards K-High School

GSTA strives to keep our members informed of important developments related to education in our state.  We hope you will share information and your opinions with your colleagues and policy makers.  Please let me know if you have any questions about these announcements.

Best regards,

Jeremy Peacock

President Elect, Legislative Committee Chair