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 GaDOE Library Media Update - August 2017


Table of Contents

  • Georgia's One-Stop Shop for Teachers: Redesigned Teacher Resource Link
  • State Board of Education Approves New Standards for Media Arts, Theatre Arts, and Visual Arts
  • Georgia Announces 2017-18 Free and Reduced-Price Meal Income Guidelines
  • GLMA School Library Tour
  • NGE Publishes 140+ New Biographies
  • GPB Education Offers Free Training Sessions To Georgia Schools
  • Worth Sharing
  • Going Social
  • GaDOE Media Mailing List

Georgia's One-Stop Shop for Teachers: Redesigned Teacher Resource Link

Dear Teachers,

I wanted to let you know about a new resource available to you starting today. Based on your feedback and suggestions, our team has worked directly with Georgia teachers to completely redesign and enhance the Teacher Resource Link available through the State Longitudinal Data System (SLDS).

The redesigned Teacher Resource Link is Georgia’s one-stop shop for teachers, with user-friendly search options and more than 28,000 resources categorized by grade-level standards. The new site features an Essential Toolkit for teachers along with curriculum maps, frameworks, glossaries, teacher guidance and downloadable resources. Please note that there are resources for all grade levels, and we are excited to roll out the Essential Toolkit for K-5 ELA and math resources today. Further updates for other subjects and middle and high school are currently in development.

To access these resources, click on the “TRL” tab within the State Longitudinal Data System (SLDS). If you do not have SLDS access, please request access through your district's Student Information System (SIS) Coordinator.

As I’ve traveled the state and spoken with Georgia teachers, this is feedback I’ve heard again and again. You, as teachers, need a better way to find vetted, relevant, high-quality resources for classroom use. After two years of work and the involvement of many classroom teachers across our state, we’re hopeful the redesigned TRL will meet that need.

The new site features a cleaner design and a simple user interface, allowing you to build a “shopping cart” of downloadable resources to save, store, and share. You can sort by grade level and resource type, and new advanced search options make it easier to find documents.

The redesigned TRL can be a powerful tool for your classroom, providing coherent instructional resources aligned with state standards and meeting your students’ needs. I hope you’ll find it useful as you prepare for the coming school year.

I’m wishing each one of you a refreshing end to the summer and a wonderful start to a productive school year. Each day, I grow more grateful for the work you do on behalf of Georgia’s students.

Sincerely,

Richard Woods
State School Superintendent​

State Board of Education Approves New Standards for Media Arts, Theatre Arts, and Visual Arts

The State Board of Education at its June 15, 2017 meeting approved the first Georgia Standards of Excellence for Media Arts, Theatre Arts, and Visual Arts, based on the recommendation of State School Superintendent Richard Woods.

The standards were revised based on public feedback, including a 60-day public comment period in the spring of 2016. K-12 fine arts teachers, postsecondary educators, school district fine arts coordinators, business and industry representatives, parents, and fine arts organizations were represented on the committees that drafted and reviewed the standards for Media Arts, Theatre Arts, and Visual Arts.

“Updating and refreshing the standards for Media Arts, Theatre Arts, and Visual Arts moves us closer to our goal of providing meaningful opportunities in the fine arts for all Georgia students,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “The arts are a critical component of a well-rounded K-12 education, and I appreciate all of the educators, parents, and community members who came together to create these standards that enhance the fine arts instruction our students receive.”

Georgia Announces 2017-18 Free and Reduced-Price Meal Income Guidelines

The Georgia Department of Education announces its policy for free and reduced-price meals for children unable to pay the full price served in schools under the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program. Local school officials have adopted the following family size and income criteria for determining eligibility.

GLMA School Library Tour

The Georgia Library Media Association is  extending an invitation to tour the new C.H. Gullatt Elementary School in Union City. The school is located at 6110 Dodson Road, Union City, Georgia, 30291. The date of the tour is Tuesday, August 22nd from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 
 
The Georgia Library Media Association (GLMA) would like to host you inside the newly built school, and ask for a few brief moments of your time to discuss education matters that affect Georgia schools. School will be in session so you are able to see the students engaging and learning. GLMA represents the 2,123 media specialists across the state; you may see more information on the GLMA website​
 
If you have any questions or would like any additional information about the tour or the association please contact Michelle Easley at measleyglma@gmail.com.

NGE Publishes 140+ New Biographies

The New Georgia Encyclopedia published over 140 new artist biographies in July. The new articles feature artists in Georgia's State Art Collection. Most of the Georgia State Art Collection is in storage or in government offices. In collaboration with the Georgia Council for the Arts, the collection is now available online for the first time.

GPB Education Offers Free Training Sessions To Georgia Schools

GPB Education is uniquely positioned to support educators by providing over 300,000 free resources that are specifically designed to meet the individual needs of teachers and students throughout Georgia. Showcasing PBS LearningMedia, Discovery Education, and GPB’s original content, our free digital resource trainings provide teachers with exciting new tools and skills.

Worth Sharing

Going Social

GaDOE Media Mailing List

Do you want to share the GaDOE Media Updates? If so, encourage your colleagues to join the email mailing list by following the directions on this page.

Thank you,

Tony Vlachakis
Educational Technologist 
Library/Media Liaison
tvlachak@doe.k12.ga.us​