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Georgia PTA’s weekly update on legislative activity – Feb. 10, 2010
Welcome to the weekly reporting of legislative activity for the 2010 session. The General Assembly has been in session four weeks and legislation is starting to move. Information about the amended 2010 budget, with its significant cuts to education and teacher furlough days, and the proposed 2011 budget which includes a 5.5% cut to education funding is available under the News section of Capitol Watch. GA PTA urges you to read the daily reports posted there so you can stay informed about the daily activities at the Capitol.
Common Core State Standard Initiative (CCSSI)
GA PTA is conducting a short survey (three questions) to gain information about our member’s knowledge and position of this important issue facing our education system. Please click on the link and take the quick survey by the end of today. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/commoncore1 The survey will end Friday, Feb. 12.
Legislation to Watch
Every week we will report on new legislation and the status of existing legislation critical to you. Legislation passed at the Capitol will have a big impact on your child, your school, your community and you. If PTA has an official position it will be shown next to the bill number. Please note, if PTA has an established position, a local unit cannot take an opposing position.
HB 615: Would allow concealed guns to be carried in schools, churches, bars, public buildings and at sporting events. The only place they would not be allowed is courtrooms and prisons/jails and those places barred by federal law. OPPOSE - PLEASE call your legislator and tell them guns don’t belong in schools.
HB 927: Anti-bullying: Expands the definition of 'bullying’ to include electronic bullying that physically harms a person or damages the property of another, has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education, creates an intimidating or threatening education environment, or substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the school. DOE is required to develop a model policy and make it available on the department’s web site for use by local school systems. SUPPORT
HB 995 and HB 1097: Establishes a school calendar start date not before Sept. 1 (HB 995) or the third Monday in August (HB 1097). This removes the local board of education’s ability to set the date that best meets the needs and wishes of the local community.
HB 1130: Class sizes may be increased until 2013: K-5 can be exceeded by one student; 6-12 can be exceeded by two students; State Board of Education may authorize up to one additional student per class upon requests by a local school board.
SB 304: Children under the age of 16 cannot be prosecuted for prostitution. Children under age 16 cannot consent to sex; but currently they can be prosecuted for prostitution. Bill is part of an effort to curb sexual abuse of minors. Support
SB 319: Allows funds allocated for textbooks to be used for digital media and other forms of new technology. Passed Senate
SB 327: Offenses of driving using a cell phone and driving while texting are established with point penalties on the drivers license. There are multiple bills addressing use of cell phones and texting while driving currently under consideration including HB 23, HB 944 and HB 945.
SB 352: Requires the state Board of Education to include a growth model in the calculation of Adequate Yearly Progress, and for grades to be given to school of A, B, C, D, and F. The grades of the students on the tests must be scaled so that no more than 20% get an A (and those schools receiving an A get a bonus – subject to funding). Gets rid of the Georgia High School Graduation Test and replaces it with End of Course Tests beginning in the 2013-14 year.
SB 361: Another VOUCHER bill: Adds 504 students, foster care students and students from a military family on active duty or in the national guard or reserves to those who can participate in the special needs voucher, renamed the Georgia Early HOPE Scholarship Act, to attend a private school. The 504 students must have a 504 plan (named after the federal code section in the 1973 bill which authorized it), and all the students must be enrolled in public school for the immediately prior year. As with special needs scholarships, the student is entitled to the voucher until graduation or a return to public school. Vouchers must include not only the amount within the QBE formula for that student but a proportional share of state categorical grants, non QBE state grants, equalization grants and the student’s share of transportation, food services, and building programs. The required formula stipulates that the voucher student will get a share of all of these grants even if the student were not eligible to receive any benefit if enrollment in the public school were continued. PTA OPPOSES any voucher, tax credit, or tax deduction that siphons public money to private schools.
SR 886: Urges Congress and state agencies to increase nutritional quality and options to students through school meals. SUPPORT
Key: HR- House Resolution, HB – House Bill, SR– Senate Resolution, SB– Senate Bill
Don’t forget to sign up for PTA Day at the Capitol on Feb. 23. If you want to know what's going on at the Capitol, want to hear the latest news, want to have a chance to talk to your legislators in person, don't miss this opportunity. Go to the GA PTA website for the registration form and more information. www.georgiapta.org New this year, PTSA Day at the Capitol (Mar. 4), designed to introduce students to the laws and bills that effect them. Sign your students up for this event today.
Karen Hallacy
GA PTA
2nd Vice President | 