Day 14 of the 2010 Legislative session was a quiet one as no education bills were discussed in either the House or Senate and no committee action took place on education bills.  Tomorrow, day 15 however, will be filled with committee work:

1:00  Appropriations Education Subcommittee, 341 Capitol -- A vote is expected to be taken on the FY2010 supplemental budget.

2:00  Academic Support Subcommittee of the House Education Committee, 515 CLOB

• HB 936 allowing bus replacement funds to be used to refurbish buses
• HB 977 requiring local boards to follow certain procedures if giving administrators a raise in a school year that staff were furloughed
• HB 966 defining permanent classroom space to exclude portables, trailers, and temporary classrooms
• HB 925 changing the requirement that parental notices of unexcused absences be sent by certified mail to regular mail
• HB 937 amending the nepotism provision to grandfather in current board members who wish to run for reelection

3:00  Senate Education and Youth Committee, 307 CLOB

• SB 60 changes maximum required attendance age to 16, 17, or 18 according to local board policy
• SB 132 changes maximum required attendance age to 17 statewide
• SB 298 requires that first aid be taught in Health Education
• SB 352 replaces the current AYP accountability system with an A-F grading system for schools based on CRCTs and end-of-course-tests;  monetary rewards for A grade; state take over of schools with F grade

The Governor's office announced the introduction of education legislation that would increase pay for Georgia’s high performing teachers and principals that opt into a pay model that focuses on student performance and peer evaluations.  In addition, legislation was introduced that will make it unlawful for anyone to knowingly tamper with or facilitate cheating on tests required by the State Department of Education. Violators will be guilty of a misdemeanor and have their certification suspended or revoked and will also be subject to the loss of their pensions.

GSBA will provide an analysis of proposed legislation in future Capitol Watch reports.