Monthly update, 2022 February

Georgia Education News from GOSA

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FEBRUARY, 2022
Dear Partners, Colleagues and Friends,
This is the first newsletter of 2022 for Governor's Office of Student Achievement. I hope that you find this bimonthly read informative. Each partner's input matters to me and the GOSA team, and we welcome your ideas and feedback.
As with every new year, Governor Brian Kemp addressed the House and Senate with his 2022 budget and legislative agendas. Educators and parents were thrilled to learn about the millions of dollars recommended for K-12, TCSG and USG. Governor Kemp recommended the last installment on his promise to raise teacher pay by $5,000. These budget items will make a difference in our educator pipeline and student success.
At winter GAEL (Georgia Association of Educational Leaders), once again, Governor Kemp met with two groups of school superintendents from all parts of Georgia. Governor Kemp listened, took notes and responded to questions and ideas candidly, creating an open and supportive environment for relationship-building and understanding education issues.
Congratulations to Dr. Noris Price, Superintendent of Baldwin County Schools who is Georgia's Superintendent of the Year, an honor well-deserved. Each time I have an opportunity to meet and discuss issues with Dr. Price, I depart with excitement about her innovative ideas and true love and adoration for her students. Thank you, Dr. Price, and every superintendent and educator in Georgia, for your persistence and passion.
Best,
2/22/2023, 2:28 PM

Georgia Education News from GOSA

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Joy Hawkins Executive Director
Governor's State of the State

Governor Brian Kemp's 2022 State of the State address was celebrated with multiple moments of applause by House and Senate members.

The Governor focused his initial comments on education and his support of educators.

The full transcript of the Governor's address can be found here on the Governor's website.

Newspapers and television stations across the state did an excellent job of spotlighting key areas of the speech. From WRDW-TV in Augusta, to the Moultrie Observer in southwest Georgia, the Savannah Morning News, WLAQ in Rome, Northeast Georgian Newspaper in Habersham County, to Georgia Public Broadcasting media coverage occurred.

Representative Jon Burns (District 159 - Bulloch, Effingham and Screven counties) was featured in the Effingham Herald spotlighting the important points from the Governor's address. Representative Burns is the House Majority Leader, and serves on several committees, including Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Economic Development and Ethics.

Representative Burns had these takeaways from Governor Kemp's speech regarding education: "The Governor also addressed teacher needs and promised that teachers would have the resources they need to prepare their students for the ever-changing workforce. He proposed a $2,000 pay raise for teachers and staff. This $2,000 pay raise for teachers, combined with a previous raise in 2019 of $3,000 will constitute the largest teacher pay raise in Georgia history for educators. The Governor is also looking to add $1.4 billion into our K-12 schools with the focus of hiring more teachers and reducing class size."
The Governor's Office of Student Achievement Mission and Deliverables The Governor's Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) supports accountability and

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Georgia Education News from GOSA

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SubsctrriabnesparencPyatshtroIsusguhesstrategic data use and collaboration with education stakeholders to
advance student success.

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GOSA works closely with all of Georgia's education agencies, including the Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE), the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC), the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC), Teachers' Retirement System (TRS), the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), and the University System of Georgia (USG).
The agency maintains the state's Georgia's Academic and Workforce Analysis and
Research Data System (GAAWARDS), the state's pre-K through workforce (P20W) longitudinal data system). Comprised of education and workforce data from participating state agencies, the goal of GAAWARDS is to provide meaningful and actionable education and workforce data to participating agencies that support research and informed decision-making.
GOSA provides district- and school-level data for all schools across Georgia the agency's
downloadable data page. These data are used in producing Data Dashboards.
GOSA also fulfills legislative reporting and auditing requirements through the agency's
Auditing, Evaluation and Research.
GOSA is responsible for the Governor's School Leadership Academy (GSLA) and the
Governor's Honors Program (GHP).
GSLA provides high-quality, selective, statewide leadership preparation and support
designed to develop high-capacity school leaders across Georgia. GSLA targets five levels of educational practice to support and develop educators in all phases of their careers from induction to school and district leadership.
GHP is a four-week residential summer program hosted on a Georgia college
campus. The state's most gifted and talented high school juniors and seniors are selected through a very competitive application process. GHP is designed to provide accelerated learning experiences that a traditional high school would not provide. The program offers 26 courses, and this year, two additional courses aligned with the state's industry needs will be offered (Computer Science and Cybersecurity).
Growing Readers is a K-3 literacy professional learning grant designed and implemented
through Georgia's Regional Educational Service Agencies (RESAs) and administered through GOSA and the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE). Growing Readers

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Subscribe proviPdaesstcIosnssuisetsent and high-quality professional learning to teachers on effective readTinrganslate instruction to help more children read at grade level by the end of third grade.
GAEL Winter Conference Governor Kemp opened the conference by thanking educators for their resiliency and their continued commitment to the children of Georgia.
Attendees (both in person and virtually) were challenged by excellent keynote speakers to set a vision and mission for the year but to also focus on the day-by-day tactics required to reach the vision. Keynote speaker Jon Gordon, international bestselling author of The Power of Positive Leadership, reminded the room full of educators that "Leadership is a transfer of belief. If you as a leader don't have it, you won't be able to influence your team toward it."
The GAEL Conference featured over 20 breakout sessions designed to expand knowledge on topics such as: "Leading Change in Changing Times Sharing Content from GSLA Strands"; "Restoring Wonder, Joy and Meaning in Learning for Workforce Readiness and Economic Prosperity"; "ZIP code Doesn't Determine Destination"; "GaPSC Paraprofessional Ethics Modules"; "Providing a Continuum of Behavioral/SEL Supports."
GOSA appreciates and thanks Buddy Costley and the entire GAEL team!
Mark your calendars for the 49th Annual Summer GAEL Conference to be held at the Jekyll Island Convention Center July 10-13, 2022.
Voices for Georgia's Children New Series: Kid Talks "Kid Talks: Georgia Leaders on Child Policy" is a video series released for the 2022 legislative session. The series features panel discussions and interviews with policymakers and other leaders of Georgia agencies serving children. The conversations focus on priorities and thoughts for the legislative session.
"What I would like for children of all ages is for every child to have some adult figure who will encourage them, counsel them, motivate them, and more often - just listen - listen to these kids."

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Subsc-ri@beGOSA_PGaAstDIisrescuteosr Joy Hawkins

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Governor's Honors Program (GHP) Applications in Review for the 2022 Summer Program This year 3,200 applications were submitted by students to attend the upcoming summer program. Approximately 1,400 semifinalists have been notified via email of their advancement to the next round of considerations. The GHP Semifinalist Interviews and Auditions Day is at the end of this month at Berry College. Notifications will go out to the 2022 Finalists and Alternates in March.

The GHP Facebook page is currently promoting the opportunity for skilled individuals to apply for instructor positions for this summer's program. GHP is seeking instructors for: Communicative Arts; Dance; Engineering; Music Percussion & Piano; Science; and Social Studies. Find out more information and apply at https://gosa.georgia.gov/governors-honors-program /employment-volunteer-opportunities.
Noris Price Superintendent of the Year Congratulations to Baldwin County School District's Superintendent, Dr. Noris Price, who was named the 2022 Georgia Superintendent of the Year during the combined Georgia School Superintendents Association/Georgia School Boards Association Annual
Conference. She was also one of four finalists for the National Superintendent of the Year award, given by the AASA, The School Superintendents Association.

"Words cannot truly express how humbled I am to receive this incredible honor and recognition. The superintendent of the year award is not about me. I have one amazing team in my corner who is doing great work. This award would not be possible without the entire Baldwin County school community. I am thankful to have an exemplary school board, dedicated employees, wonderful students, and supportive parents and community members," said Superintendent Dr. Noris Price.

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Georgia Education News from GOSA

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Houston County is Focused on Literacy Improvements Several years ago, Houston County School District's data showed a significant deficit in foundational skills and phonemic awareness in kindergarten through third grades. Knowing that students need these skills to read on grade level by third grade, the district adopted a comprehensive phonics/word study program for all students. The district also adopted the Heggerty curriculum to supplement literacy programs in the district's lowest performing schools and to help students become expert word solvers and effective readers and writers. With these changes, these primary grade students are getting explicit and systematic instruction with ample practice on high priority skills.
Outside of the classroom, the district reached out to members of the community, and through partnerships and sponsorships, the district now has a state-of-the art rolling resource book mobile that travels to ballparks, neighborhoods and other congregated areas to give students of all ages engaging books. Houston County Schools is an excellent example of a district using data to identify reading problems, implementing strategic programs, and working with the community to enhance literacy for all students.

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