Data Requests & Contact

March 6, 2026 – Principals

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

Georgia Aquarium Educators’ Ball – May 30, 2026

The Georgia Aquarium is hosting the inaugural Georgia Aquarium Educators’ Ball on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 7 to 11 p.m. in the Georgia Aquarium Ballroom. The event is designed to celebrate educators while supporting the Aquarium’s education programs. District leaders and principals are encouraged to share the flyer below with schools and teachers. This event is hosted by the Georgia Aquarium and is not a Georgia Department of Education event; the Department is sharing this information for awareness only.

Reminder: Guidance on the Exchange of Student Information

As a reminder, GaDOE released updated Guidance on Student Information and Privacy on December 18, 2025. This document expands GaDOE’s previous Guidance on the Exchange of Student Information to Promote the Safety, Health, and Wellbeing of Students and School Communities to include information on the protection and sharing of personally identifiable information of students and families. In compliance with O.C.G.A. § 20-2-663, this additional section of the guidance provides information on current state and federal laws intended to protect the privacy of student education records, data, and personally identifiable information; the application of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA); and records and information that can be shared with other educators, schools, law enforcement, or agencies with a legal interest in a student.

Reminder: Innovative Education Fund Applications Due March 16

The Innovative Education Fund is offered by the Georgia Foundation for Public Education. The fund provides up to $50,000 over 12 months for eligible organizations to design, pilot, or expand innovative education programs. Applicants may choose from two program options: the Innovative Education Prototype/Expansion Program and the Innovation for Impact Program. All funded programs support solutions that improve outcomes for Georgia students. Traditional public schools, charter schools, school districts, and nonprofit organizations partnered with public schools or districts are eligible to apply.