Monthly update, 2021 February

Georgia Education News from GOSA

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FEBRUARY, 2021
Brief Message from the Executive Director
Greetings, Best wishes for a new year and the beginning of the 2021 legislative session.
Governor Brian Kemp has been an ardent advocate for teachers for many years. He is continuing the pursuit to assist teachers and grow our pipeline with the introduction of the Teacher Pipeline Package, which includes Senate Bill 88 and House Bill 385. Georgia, like other states, struggles to recruit and retain teachers. Senate Bill 88 provides several strategic plans to ensure that Georgia encourages diversity in the classroom and offers additional preparation opportunities for student teachers. House Bill 385 would allow retired teachers to return full-time to the classroom in high-needs areas. With legislators' support of these two bills, we will have additional tools to support our teacher pipeline.
In addition to supporting Governor Kemp's legislation, I encourage all of us to think about practices to better recruit young people into teaching that start much earlier than college years. We can talk to young people about the many rewards that come from a career in the classroom. We can encourage them to think about that special teacher who made a difference in their lives. I cannot think of a more admirable profession than that of a teacher someone who can literally change lives.
I applaud Governor Kemp for his continued support of students and their teachers.
Best wishes, Joy Hawkins
https://mailchi.mp/gosa/feb2021?e=d65b1ef8b0[2/24/2021 9:02:30 AM]

Georgia Education News from GOSA
Executive Director
Teacher Pipeline Announcement by Governor Earlier this month the Governor announced his plan to restore hundreds of millions of dollars to school budgets cut because of the pandemic. His Teacher Pipeline Plan would also address teacher shortages by enhancing the path for veterans to teach, partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and allowing retired teachers to return to the classroom full-time in high-need areas. WSB-TV reported on the announcement.
Planning has begun for the 2021-2022 Governor's School Leadership Academy The Governor's School Leadership Academy (GSLA) was established in 2018 to create a pipeline of transformational leaders for Georgia's schools. Participation in the GSLA prepares aspiring principals for roles in high-need schools and supports principals already serving in chronically low-performing schools through a cohort-based system of professional development and coaching at no cost to participating districts. Modeled after Gwinnett County Public Schools' nationally recognized leadership development system which was recently highlighted by the RAND Corporation, the GSLA has trained 66 aspiring principals and 108 principals.
A previous member of the Aspiring Principal Program, Brittany Hall-George who is a teacher in the Walker County School District, shares that her transformative realization (through the GSLA process) was clearly identifying her own specific strengths! Brittany says that so often teachers default to "what I need to improve or change," when what is necessary to keep you energized toward excellence is instead becoming clear on what you are good at doing - where your natural talents and abilities shine. She tells us that gaining this clarity helped her individually, and it gave her insight into how to be a stronger team member by helping her teammates honor their own strengths.
For more information on the GSLA programs and focus areas, please visit: http://bit.ly/GOSA-GSLA
Educator Workforce Report, First Iteration Released The Governor's Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) produces this report annually, and this year, the first iteration will be followed with an addendum in the spring. The report provides important information about teacher and leader workforces that should inform policymakers and leaders about demographics, supply, and production.
https://mailchi.mp/gosa/feb2021?e=d65b1ef8b0[2/24/2021 9:02:30 AM]

Georgia Education News from GOSA
Governor's Honors Program (GHP) Update GHP 2021 finalists will be notified of their acceptance into the four-week summer program March 26, after all semi-finalist interviews have concluded. Read more about GHP "Going into the GHP experience, I thought it was clich to hear alumni say it was "life changing," but as I return home, I know that I truly left a piece of my heart at Berry College this summer." - GHP Alumnus
Growing Readers 2019-2020 Evaluation Growing Readers is continuing to positively impact students throughout Georgia by providing targeted professional learning and coaching to kindergarten through third grade teachers across the state. Growing Readers is delivered through a partnership between GOSA, Georgia's RESA Network, and the Georgia Department of Education. The findings outlined in the most recent evaluation for the 20192020 school year indicate that the RESAs are successfully collaborating and delivering consistent, effective professional learning in K-3 literacy instruction to teachers and candidates.
GOSA and Share the Magic Foundation Present Community Reading Day Partnership March 2 First, second, and third grade students in four Growing Readers elementary schools (listed below) will be the recipients of Malcolm Mitchell's new book, "My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World." Educators in those schools will receive a digital Teacher's Guide and student activities along with a classroom poster. Each school will receive a Run of Show for Community Reading Day, and Malcolm will send a personalized video message to each school introducing the program. The 2021 Share the Magic Reading Day Schools: Van Wert Elementary, Rockmart GA (Polk County); Lyman Hall Elementary, Hinesville GA (Liberty County); Beaverbrook Elementary, Griffin GA (Spalding County);
https://mailchi.mp/gosa/feb2021?e=d65b1ef8b0[2/24/2021 9:02:30 AM]

Georgia Education News from GOSA
Howard Stroud Elementary, Athens GA (Clark County).
Georgia Education Report Card Updated Data GOSA has updated and released the data for the 2020 Georgia Education Report Card that includes: Prekindergarten; K-12 Public Schools; University System; Technical College System and Georgia Military College. Consistent with GOSA's mission to provide accountability, these data are updated annually to provide educators, parents, students, and community stakeholders with valuable information that informs efforts toward improving education opportunities for all of Georgia's students. The data within the Report Card have also been uploaded to the GOSA Downloadable Data page.
Innovative Education Fund Grant Recipients Announced The Innovation Fund Foundation is pleased to announce the grant awardees for the 2020 Innovative Education Fund Grant Program. The grant opportunity application period opened to public schools, school districts, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in November 2020. Thirty-six grant applications were submitted with innovative project designs made to engage students in an original way demonstrating the potential for lasting impact on the academic environment.
The 2021 Legislative session is underway with current plans to adjourn April 2. To stay abreast of House and Senate bills and actions visit https://www.legis.ga.gov/

Content experts at the Georgia Department of Education have developed Remote Learning Plans for teachers and parents. These Georgia Standards of Excellence-based plans were specifically designed for use during the pandemic as support for school districts, administrators, teachers, and parents who are working tirelessly to provide students with quality content.
https://mailchi.mp/gosa/feb2021?e=d65b1ef8b0[2/24/2021 9:02:30 AM]

Georgia Education News from GOSA
The plans are easy-to-use and include both "plugged and unplugged" activities. Remote Learning Plans are updated weekly.
Launched in 2020 by Georgia's Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and Voices for Georgia's Children along with incredible partners, the Free Your Feels campaign helps Georgia's children, teens, and young adults stay mentally healthy by expressing their true feelings with peers, parents, teachers and most importantly, themselves. With free educational resources, instant access to mental health professionals, and support for children and families, we are helping Georgia's youth voice their real feelings and get the help they need when they need it.
This GA Department of Public Health video is available in both English and Spanish.

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https://mailchi.mp/gosa/feb2021?e=d65b1ef8b0[2/24/2021 9:02:30 AM]

Georgia Education News from GOSA
Copyright 2021 | GA Education Influencers: Governor's Office of Student Achievement, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Governor's Office of Student Achievement 952 Twin Towers E 205 Jesse Hill Jr Drive Se Atlanta, GA 30334-9039 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
https://mailchi.mp/gosa/feb2021?e=d65b1ef8b0[2/24/2021 9:02:30 AM]