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Partnership Issues Three Position Statements on Legislative Issues News and Analysis The 2010 General Assembly has reached the halfway point. Although the Partnership does not offer a daily analysis of education issues that are being discussed, we do offer direct links to other organizations such as the Georgia School Superintendents Association, the Georgia School Boards Association, and the Georgia PTA that do. Voices for Georgia's Children offers a blog that often addresses key issues being discussed by legislators. From the GA Chamber of Commerce's weekly legislative review, March 8 SB 84 - This would improve Georgia schools by ensuring effective school board governance. Based on recommendations made by the Commission for School Board Excellence, the bill passed the Senate in 2009 and was approved by the House of Representatives today. The Senate will either need to agree to the changes made by the House or reconcile them in a conference committee before it can go to the governor for signature. HB 1195 - This would secure the future of the Georgia Work Ready program by codifying its purpose and governance structure. Originally created by executive order of the governor, this program continues to connect employers throughout the state with the certified workforce they need, a key advantage for Georgia in attracting economic investment. SB 386 - This is Governor Perdue's proposal to implement a performance-based option for teachers to both encourage and reward excellence in Georgia schools. If passed, the new system would go into effect in 2014, allowing the state Department of Education to fully implement Georgia's student data system so that performance can be adequately tracked. SB 352 - This would institute a grading system for Georgia schools simlar to one used in Florida that has resulted in stronger school performance throughout the state. Schools that see improvement under this new system would be eligible for financial bonuses. From the pages of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Sunday, March 7: SB 361 - Georgia Early HOPE Scholarship Program, would offer vouchers to foster kids, children of military service personnel and the severely disabled with special learning plans. Status: Assigned to the Education and Youth Committee. HB 111 - Would bar employees convicted of altering state test scores from collecting a state pension. Would apply only to individuals who join the retirement system after July 2010. Status: Assigned to retirement committee in the House. HB 1121 - Would make it a misdemeanor to tamper with a state assessment, a measure springing out of the recent CRCT scandals. Status: Assigned to House judiciary committee on non-civil matters. SB 84 - Would give the governor the power to remove poorly performing board members. The bill was introduced last year after Clayton County became the nation's second school system to lose accreditation in 40 years. Status: Approved by Senate last year, passed out of House committee on Feb. 16 and could be headed to House floor. What are they saying? No tax hike for schools, but for a Falcons stadium? Sure thing! - Atlanta Journal-Constitution (March 11) Education system faces wrong direction - Augusta Chronicle (March 11) Better off with some waste in government? - Commerce News (March 11) Good time to clean up waste in state government - Hartwell Sun (March 11) Rep. Alisha T. Morgan: Georgia charging ahead to lead 'Race to the Top' - Marietta Daily Journal, Marietta (March 11) Cuts could up class sizes, reduce teachers - Marietta Daily Journal (March 11) Sanderson laments cuts - Marietta Daily Journal, (March 11) Polk schools to move to 160-day calendar - Rome News Tribune, (March 11) Columbia County may cut teaching positions - WAGT-TV, Augusta (March 11) Lawmakers Short On Ideas To Help Georgia Schools - WGCL-TV, Atlanta (March 11) Teachers in Georgia Losing Jobs - Georgia Public Broadcasting (March 11) Local Superintendent Reacts to Ethics Legislation - WNEG-TV, Toccoa (March 11) More Georgia Schools Facing Deeper Budget Cuts, State Can't Bail Them Out - WXIA-TV, Atlanta (March 11) Your Opinion: Education an investment, not an expense - Tifton Gazette (March 10) No power grab - Savannah Morning News (March 10) Shortening school week won’t help state students - Rome News Tribune (March 10) Education cuts threaten Georgia’s future - Macon Telegraph (March 10) Bibb school board raises taxes - Macon Telegraph (March 10) Hall County Schools System could close elementary school to save money - Gainesville Times (March 10) All state employees need to sacrifice - Columbia County News (March 10) Budget gap questioned at education forum - Cherokee Tribune (March 10) School year could get shorter - Brunswick News (March 10) Columbia County might lose teaching positions - Augusta Chronicle (March 10) School board members could be out under bill - Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) (March 10) Proposed school closures divide DeKalb - AJC (March 10) On the record: With Georgia House Rules Committee Chairman Bill Hembree - AJC (March 10) Cuts would hurt lives, Fulton school board told - AJC (March 10) The State Budget: Don't make higher ed bear brunt of cuts - Marietta Daily Journal (March 9) Yarbrough: Perdue horsing around with budget proposals - Several papers (march 9) Governor’s BOE bill clears House - Macon Telegraph (March 9) Baldwin school board cautious on 4-day week - Macon Telegraph (March 9) Fayette School Board to consider furlough days - Fayette Citizen (March 9) Across Georgia - Augusta Chronicle (March 9) 480 Fulton County teacher positions on the chopping block - Atlanta Journal-Constitution (March 9) Bill would allow more discretion in school discipline - Athens Banner-Herald (March 8) Schools fear budget crash - Atlanta Journal-Constitution (March 7)http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/schools-fear-budget-crash-352509.html Proposed 4-H cuts would affect thousands - Rome News-Tribune (March 7) Teachers upset by Perdue's merit pay plan - Macon Telegraph (March 7) Teachers speak out on Perdue’s merit pay plan - Macon Telegraph (March 7) A partial solution to education budget woes - Macon Telegraph (March 7) An extension of education - Gainesville Times (March 7) Proposed cuts were old trick - Columbia County News Times (March 7) Budget balanced on backs of children - Columbia County News Times (March 7) Budget gamesmanship in play - Augusta Chronicle (March 7) Analysis: Legislators resent college salaries - Augusta Chronicle (March 7) Thompson: It's all about the buck-buck-bucks - Athens Banner-Herald (March 7) State of shock over budget cuts - Athens Banner-Herald (March 7) Huckaby: Don't take away Georgia's 4-H - Athens Banner-Herald (March 7) Ethics code for schools up for vote - Athens Banner-Herald (March 7) Editorial: Legislators could pay tuition out of own cut to salary - Athens Banner-Herald (March 7) Legislator has plan to save UGA - Athens Banner-Herald (March 7) 4-H makes impact on participants - Athens Banner-Herald (March 7) More belt-tightening ahead for educators - Newnan Times Herald (March 5) CSU students react to talk of cuts, tuition hike - Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (March 5) A way to make the cuts fairer - Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (March 5) Governor: Protect universities - Brunswick News (March 5) Grading schools wouldn't help - Athens Banner-Herald (March 5) Call to cut admin pay - Athens Banner-Herald (March 5) 4-H fosters success in participants' lives - Albany Herald (March 5) Georgia 4-H program could come to an end - WALB-TV, Albany (March 4) Georgia technical schools bracing for cuts - WAGT-TV, Augusta (March 4) Georgia leaders respond to outcry over college cuts - Morris News Service (March 4)
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