GPEE Media Symposium 2019

1. GPEE Media Symposium 2019 Richard Woods State School Superintendent

2. 2019 Legislative Session Put Georgia’s students first. • Support Governor-elect Kemp’s commitment to school safety • Make bus safety changes • Increase funds for wraparound services • Long-term: Realize a 21st-century funding formula for a 21st-century education

3. 2019 Legislative Session Expand opportunities. • Authority over the accountability system (CCRPI): Decrease the testing weight, 100-pt scale/Letter grades • Long-term: Create an additional “Opportunity” weight for QBE (based on poverty; funding for arts, computer science, CTAE, world languages, technology, STEM/STEAM, before/after school, etc.)

4. 2019 Legislative Session Protect local control. • Additional funding to give paper/pencil testing options (prioritize students in grades 3-5 and students with disabilities) • Protect and provide maximum flexibility over resources so districts can meet the needs of their students

5. 2019 Legislative Session Let teachers teach. • Get state testing requirements in line with the federal minimum • Support Governor-elect Kemp’s commitment to teacher raises • Long-term: Develop a comprehensive compensation plan: increase beginning teacher pay, expand step increases, designate teacher education as high-demand field

6. 2019 Legislative Session Strengthen rural Georgia. • Additional funding for pupil transportation in rural areas • Rural education tax credit for the Georgia Foundation for Public Education • Expand Partnership for Rural Growth initiative (focus on academic access & economic development)