At its December meeting, the State Board of Education (SBOE) received an update on English Language Arts (ELA) standards, approved a student attendance rule, advanced several CTAE pathways, and identified 2023 board officers and meeting dates.
The board’s meeting agenda is available HERE. Archived video footage of December meetings is available HERE and HERE.
The next SBOE meetings are scheduled for Jan. 11 and 12.
English Language Arts Standards Update
Board members heard an update on public comments received regarding new ELA standards. The standards now move to a stakeholder working group for review before anticipated adoption in 2023.
Student Attendance Rule Expanded
The Board approved State Board Rule 160-5-1-.10, related to student attendance, in compliance with the passage of HB 1292 by Rep. Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper) in the 2022 legislative session. HB 1292 prohibits school districts from counting students as absent when participating in school-sponsored 4-H programs.
Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Woods' December report included updates on Georgia's 20th Century Classroom project and recognition of the service of Dr. Caitlin Dooley, outgoing Deputy Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, and incoming director of Voices for Georgia's Children.
Georgia Adjutant General Tom Carden described the importance of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery exam (ASVAB), a screening tool for the military to identify potential recruits from Georgia high schools. Carden reports that only 20 percent of Georgia students qualify for military service.
Dr. Tom Koballa, dean of the Mercer University College of Education, shared news that Mercer University is opening Roberts Academy, a transitional school for students with dyslexia. The private school in Macon aims to serve approximately 90 students in grades 2-5. Scholarship opportunities will be available.
Board Officers, By-Laws, & 2023 Meeting Dates
The board amended SBOE by-laws, allowing the group to meet up to two times annually in locations other than the Georgia Department of Education in Atlanta.
Current board leadership was also re-approved for 2023:
Jason Downey, Chair
Stan DeJarnett, Vice Chair
Leonte Benton, Vice Chair of Appeals
2023 meeting days and locations were also announced:
Jan. 11: Committee Meetings
Jan. 12: Committee of the Whole & Regular Meeting
Feb. 15: Committee Meetings
Feb. 16: Committee of the Whole & Regular Meeting
March 22: Committee Meetings
March 23: Committee of the Whole & Regular Meeting
April: No Meeting
May 10: Committee Meetings
May 11: Committee of the Whole & Regular Meeting
June 14: Committee Meetings
June 15: Committee of the Whole & Regular Meeting
July 19: Committee Meetings, Committee of the Whole, & Regular Meeting
Aug. 23: Committee Meetings
Aug. 24: Committee of the Whole & Regular Meeting*
Sept. 27: Committee Meetings
Sept. 28: Committee of the Whole & Regular Meeting
October: No meeting
Nov. 1: Committee Meetings
Nov. 2: Committee of the Whole & Regular Meeting
Dec. 6: Committee Meetings
Dec. 7: Committee of the Whole & Regular Meeting
* August meeting will be held at the Georgia Academy for the Blind – 2895 Vineville Avenue Macon, GA 31204