1. State School Superintendent
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)