The Georgia Assessment of Performance on School Standards (GAPSS) Analysis is an onsite assessment of a school’s progress toward meeting the School Keys. The School Keys are Georgia’s standards for schools and describe what Georgia’s schools need to know, understand, and be able to do, in the same manner that the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS) describe what Georgia’s students need to know, understand, and be able to do.
The GAPSS Analysis is conducted by an experienced team of educators. Through the GAPSS diagnostic process, a variety of data is collected from multiple sources (classroom observations, interviews, staff surveys, and documents) to assess the status of a school on each of the standards. Following a GAPSS Analysis, a summary meeting is conducted to provide the school with commendations, recommendations, and a rating for each standard in the School Keys. The results of the GAPSS Analysis inform the development and implementation of school improvement initiatives.
There are three conditions under which a GAPSS Analysis may be conducted.
REQUIRED GAPSS ANALYSIS
Each year the Georgia Department of Education identifies schools which are required to receive a state-led GAPSS Analysis. The State GAPSS Team has the primary responsibility to conduct reviews at the identified schools every two to three years. Currently the required schools include the School Improvement Grant (SIG), Race to the Top (RT3), and State-Directed (Needs Improvement Level 5 and above) schools.
SACS GAPSS ANALYSIS
A Memorandum of Agreement with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS/CASI) details conditions under which the GAPSS Analysis may be conducted in combination with the SACS/CASI Quality Assurance Review and accreditation visit. This memorandum removes unnecessary duplication for schools that have both reviews scheduled within a short period of time.
VOLUNTARY GAPSS ANALYSIS
Any school may request a GAPSS Analysis from the local Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA).
CERTIFIED STAFF SURVEY
One source of data collected during a GAPSS Analysis is certified staff perception data. Questions on the Certified Staff Survey gather perception data regarding implementation of the School Keys. The Certified Staff Survey is an online questionnaire completed by certified staff prior to the onsite review. To open or close a Certified Staff Survey, please contact Dr. Gary Wenzel at gwenzel@doe.k12.ga.us or (404) 656-4152.
KEY RESOURCES