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.
Rural Education and Innovation Summits
The Rural Education & Innovation Summits bring together district and school leaders, educators, and workforce partners to explore strategies that improve outcomes for students and communities. Through district-led sessions on literacy, special education, college and career readiness, educator workforce development, artificial intelligence, and other innovative practices, participants will gain practical ideas, valuable resources, and meaningful connections to support success across rural Georgia. Register now. Space is limited, and attendance is free.
Choose the location that works best for you: UGA Tifton Conference Center, Tifton – September 16, 2026 | Brasstown Valley Resort, Young Harris – September 30, 2026
- Additional Information: Registration
- Contact: Laura Ergle, laura.ergle@doe.k12.ga.us
Reminder: Facilities and School Registry Annual Update Prep
The window for updating the Facilities and School Registry (FSR) opened July 1, 2026. Please see the documents linked below for details on what needs to be updated and how to update the information.
- Additional Information: Guidance
- Contact: Kelland Waldrep, kwaldrep@doe.k12.ga.us
- Deadline: September 21, 2026 at 5 p.m.
District Spotlight
The Clarke County School District is partnering with local nonprofit AthFest Educates to launch Athens AIR: Artists in Residence, a new program that will bring professional teaching artists into every district elementary school over the next three years. During week-long residencies, local artists will work with students on collaborative projects designed with school art teachers, ranging from murals and sculptures to ceramics, printmaking, digital media and other art forms. Three schools will participate during the program’s first year, with additional schools added each year until all 14 elementary schools have hosted a residency. Clarke County’s partnership provides students with hands-on arts experiences while connecting schools with professional artists in their community.
- Additional Information: New Partnership to Place Professional Teaching Artists in CCSD Elementary Schools
Inside GaDOE
- The 2026-2027 Georgia Data Conference is taking place this week in Savannah. This is an annual event focused on providing districts with technical assistance on all data-centric programs and projects, with an emphasis on the reporting of data from districts to the state. The conference includes presenters from GaDOE’s Data Collection and Validation team, as well as several program teams, including Federal Programs, Special Education, and Accountability.
- Superintendent Woods will speak to new Curriculum Directors this week at the GACIS/GaDOE New Curriculum Directors Kick-Off Session. The cohort supports Curriculum Directors who have three years or less of experience in their district-level role and is designed to support instructional leadership across the state.
Additionally, don’t forget to explore the Professional Learning Catalog for upcoming GaDOE conferences, trainings, and events.