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CONTACT: Matt Cardoza,
GaDOE Communications Office, (404) 651- 7358, mcardoza@gadoe.org
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June 9, 2016 – State School Superintendent Richard
Woods honored State Senator Lindsey Tippins with the second Superintendent’s
Impact Award today, in recognition of Sen. Tippins’ sponsorship of Senate
Bill 364.
SB 364, which
was signed into law May 3, eliminates eight high-stakes tests. It reduces the
weight of test scores on the teacher and leader evaluation systems – from 50 to
30 percent for teachers, and 70 to 50 percent for leaders. The bill also adds a
true professional growth component to the teacher and leader evaluation
systems, increases the percentage of days students have to be present in class
to count toward a teacher’s evaluation, and allows all districts to implement
tiered observations.
“Senator
Tippins’ bold leadership will have an impact on generations of Georgia
students,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “As a result of this
legislation, students will spend less time taking and preparing for high-stakes
tests, and their teachers – through positive refinements to the evaluation
system – will be able to focus on the needs of students rather than only test
scores. I’m honored to recognize Sen. Tippins for his dedication to students
and educators.”
The
Superintendent’s Impact Award recognizes Georgians who are not educators, but
who make a positive impact on the lives of Georgia’s schools and students. Sen.
Tippins is the second recipient of the award. Superintendent Woods recognized
Representative Brooks Coleman with the Superintendent’s Impact Award in August.