Data Requests & Contact

August 22, 2025 – Principals

Below are your weekly updates and reminders from the Georgia Department of Education. Click here for the District Deadlines and To-Dos Dashboard.

Guidance to Support the Distraction-Free Education Act

Earlier this year, the Georgia General Assembly passed the “Distraction-Free Education Act” (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-324.8). With this Act come two time-bound components related to prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices during the school day for grades K-8:

  • No later than January 1, 2026, each local school system and public school shall adopt policies and procedures regarding the mandate.
  • No later than July 1, 2026, no public-school student in grades K-8 shall be permitted to access personal electronic devices during the school day.

Guidance for the Exchange of Student Information (HB 268)

The purpose of this guidance is to provide local school systems and law enforcement officials with proposed terms and conditions that address how student education records, student data, and student personally identifiable information may be shared between local educational agencies, law enforcement agencies, judges or court personnel, or other state or local agencies with legal interests in this information.

Teacher Policy Fellowship Application Open – Share with Your Teachers

Applications are now open for GaDOE’s Teacher Policy Fellowship (TPF), a unique professional learning opportunity designed to introduce classroom teachers to public education policy and policymaking. During this nine-month program, fellows will gain knowledge and information on policy design and implementation through seminars, conversations, and projects. The TPF uses a blended virtual and face-to-face learning approach so Fellows can continue teaching in their classrooms.

Reminder: Parent ProTech Partnership

We wanted to take a moment to remind you of our partnership with Parent ProTech, established to support SB 351, which now ensures access for ALL families and staff within each district. This initiative empowers communities to raise safe, smart digital citizens through expert-backed tools and resources that promote responsible technology use.

Reminder: 2025 WIDA ACCESS Scores and Student Growth Percentiles (SGPs)

English learners’ 2025 WIDA ACCESS score results are now available on each student’s SLDS Profile Page along with the downloadable 2025 WIDA ACCESS Growth Reports. We hope this data will inform EL identification, instructional planning, and intervention and support services for EL students in your schools.