Below are your weekly updates and reminders from the Georgia Department of Education. Here are your links to the District Deadlines and To-Dos Dashboard and the Digest Archive.
Reminder: First-Year Teacher Spotlights
New classroom. New students. New possibilities. We’re looking for first-year teachers whose stories represent the many pathways into Georgia’s classrooms. Teachers may nominate themselves, or nominations may be submitted by colleagues, school and district leadership, students, families, or community members. Nominate a teacher teaching for the first year during the 2026-2027 school year. As part of our Teach in the Peach initiative, State School Superintendent Richard Woods may visit them in their classroom. We’ll be celebrating educators from across Georgia and sharing their stories throughout the school year.
- Additional Information: Nomination Form
- Contact: Kimberly Wetzel, kimberly.wetzel@doe.k12.ga.us
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. Applications are due August 28.
- Additional Information: Informational Brochure | Application
- Contact: policy@doe.k12.ga.us
- Deadline: Friday, August 28, 2026
GaVS Tuition Adjustment: Effective January 1
The standard tuition rate for GaVS courses will increase from $250 per half Carnegie unit to $350 per half Carnegie unit. This adjustment is made in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 20-2-319.1, which authorizes the State Board of Education to establish and revise tuition rates for Georgia Virtual School courses. This update reflects ongoing efforts to ensure the sustainability, quality, and continued expansion of Georgia Virtual School offerings, including support for high-quality instructional materials, certified teachers, and student services.
- Contact: Amanda Williamson, amanda.williamson@doe.k12.ga.us
Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Training Video Available
To assist LEAs with compliance with Georgia House Bill 874, the Georgia chapter of the American College of Cardiology prepared a short, six-minute educational video. The information covers what should be included in your written school EAP for sudden cardiac arrest and a guide on how to develop the two required EAP practice drills during the school year.
Once the video has been reviewed, please use the link included to access and answer a brief questionnaire regarding your school’s current EAP and thoughts on the quality of this video tool.
- Additional Information: EAP Video Toolkit | Video Survey Link
- Contact: Kim Conley, kim.conley@doe.k12.ga.us
District Spotlight
Fulton County Schools launched its annual “Know Before You Go” back-to-school resource hub to give families one convenient, parent-friendly destination for the information they need to begin the 2026-2027 school year. The page brings together frequently requested resources — including bus routes, attendance expectations, meal prices, digital payments, emergency contacts, student technology information and digital safety resources –helping families spend less time searching across multiple channels and more time preparing for a successful start to the school year. Fulton’s one-stop approach offers a strong model for clear, proactive family communication.
- Additional Information: Fulton’s Back-to-School Resource Page
Inside GaDOE
GaDOE publicly released 2025-2026 Georgia Milestones results on Thursday, August 6. This year’s results showed students continuing to improve in mathematics, science, and social studies, with some all-time highs in mathematics. Leading up to each Georgia Milestones release, GaDOE holds preview meetings with legislators, education advocacy groups, and members of the news media to lift up the work of Georgia educators and encourage an accurate narrative regarding assessment results.
Superintendent Woods and other agency staff attended the first meeting of the Blue Ribbon Study Committee on Education Performance Metrics and Workforce Stability last week, and will continue to engage with the work of this committee as it moves forward.
Additionally, don’t forget to explore the Professional Learning Catalog (also linked below) for upcoming GaDOE conferences, trainings, and events.
- Additional Information: Georgia Milestones | Professional Learning Catalog