Eric.ed.gov – Blueprint for Change in Georgia: State Teacher Policy Yearbook, 2010

The 2009 “State Teacher Policy Yearbook” provided a comprehensive review of states’ policies that impact the teaching profession. As a companion to last year’s comprehensive state-by-state analysis, the 2010 edition provides each state with an individualized “Blueprint for Change,” building off last year’s “Yearbook” goals and recommendations. State teacher policy addresses a great many areas, including teacher preparation, certification, evaluation and compensation. With so many moving parts, it may be difficult for states to find a starting point on the road to reform. To this end, this paper provides a state-specific roadmap, organized in three main sections. Section 1 identifies policy concerns that need critical attention, the areas of highest priority for state policymakers. Section 2 outlines “low-hanging fruit,” policy changes that can be implemented in relatively short order. Section 3 offers a short discussion of some longer-term systemic issues that states need to make sure stay on the radar. In the 2009 “State Teacher Policy Yearbook”, Georgia had the following grades: (1) Delivering Well Prepared Teachers (C-); (2) Expanding the Teaching Pool (B-); (3) Identifying Effective Teachers (D+); (4) Retaining Effective Teachers (D); and (5) Exiting Ineffective Teachers (C). Georgia has an overall grade of C- for 2009. In the last year, many states made significant changes to their teacher policies, spurred in many cases by the Race to the Top competition. Based on a review of state legislation, rules and regulations, the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) has identified no recent policy changes in Georgia. As noted in the 2009 “Yearbook”, Georgia reiterated that HB 280 provides additional compensation for math and science teachers who meet certain criteria. This compensation is pending appropriations by the Georgia General Assembly. The state noted that this bill aims to increase the incentives for highly qualified teachers to teach in the areas of math and science or to become certified within these areas. Individual sections contain footnotes. (Contains 5 figures.) [For the related reports, see “Blueprint for Change: National Summary. State Teacher Policy Yearbook, 2010” (ED515614) and “State Teacher Policy Yearbook, 2009. Georgia” (ED511874).]