August 2015 Monthly Update
Nominate an Innovative Teacher
The Governor’s Office of Student Achievement has opened nominations for the 2015-2016 Innovation in Teaching Competition, a recognition and reward opportunity for Georgia teachers who are implementing innovative strategies to advance student achievement every day. From now until September 15, 2015, principals, assistant principals, instructional coaches, district staff members, GOSA language and literacy specialists, and GaDOE staff (Teacher and Leader Effectiveness, School Improvement, or Curriculum) can nominate teachers here.
This round, we are looking for teachers focused on the following priority areas:
- Applied Learning with a Focus on STEAM Education,
- Blended Learning,
- Innovative Practices to Close the Achievement Gap, and
- Language and Literacy.
Winning teachers receive a $3,000 stipend for themselves and a $4,000 grant for their school. In addition, Georgia Public Broadcasting will film each of the winning teachers in action, and GOSA will make these videos, along with each teacher’s unit plan and supplementary materials, available for other educators on GeorgiaStandards.org and iTunes U.
To learn more about the Innovation in Teaching Competition, please visit GOSA’s website. |
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2015 ACT results
According to an annual ACT report released today, only 26% of 2015 Georgia’s high school graduates who took the ACT are ready for college-level coursework in Mathematics, Reading, English, and Science. Nationally, 28% of high school graduates met all four benchmarks.
Next month, the State Board of Education will adopt standards on the Georgia Milestones, Georgia’s new statewide assessment system in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies that students took for the first time during the 2014-2015 school year. As the cut scores for each performance level are set in the coming weeks, it is important that the new cut scores send a signal of student performance that is more consistent with other measures of college and career readiness.
Click here to view GOSA's analysis.
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GOSA Selects Schools for the Reading Mentors Program
GOSA recently announced the elementary schools that will participate in the Reading Mentors Program/A Language and Literacy Partnership for the 2015-2016 through the 2017-2018 school years. In May, schools across Georgia applied to receive a state-funded literacy instructional expert who will work closely with the school to ensure that all students are on grade level by the end of their third grade year. GOSA selected schools that displayed a strong commitment from both central office and building level leaders to improve literacy instruction and student achievement.
Research is clear that third grade is a pivotal point in elementary education at which students must be ready to transition to using reading comprehension as a tool for understanding curriculum content. GOSA is pleased to continue the strategic investment in reading instruction that this program provides.
To view the list of currently awarded districts and schools, click here.
For more information on the Reading Mentors Program, click here.
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E-Bulletin: Update on Student Mobility in Georgia
Each school year, thousands of Georgia students transfer schools for reasons other than grade promotion. Student mobility not only affects the individual student but also the teacher and students in his or her classes. In June 2014, GOSA published a report on student mobility during the 2012-2013 school year. This e-bulletin updates this research by analyzing mobility patterns during the 2013-2014 school year and includes downloadable files that lists each school’s and district’s churn rates and a map of district churn rates.
To read the full e-bulletin, click here.
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