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.
Required Reporting – Georgia Early Literacy
Required reporting for K-3rd grade universal reading and dyslexia screening is due October 1. For more information, please see the guidance document linked below.
- Additional Information: Required Early Literacy Reporting in the MyGaDOE Portal
- Contact: Amy Denty, amy.denty@doe.k12.ga.us
- Deadline: October 1, 2026 at 5 p.m.
Important Reminder Regarding Foster Care Student Enrollment
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-670 was amended by Senate Bill 431 in May 2026. The amendment addresses the enrollment of students in foster care and reinforces existing federal law.
Public schools may not refuse or delay enrollment of a foster care student. A foster care student must be immediately enrolled and under no circumstances later than three school business days following the receipt of a completed enrollment registration form from the student’s parent or legal custodian. Schools must move forward with enrollment even when records from a previous school have not yet been received.
Please ensure that your district staff and school leaders are informed of this update to state law and that your enrollment procedures comply with the legal requirements.
- Additional Information: Senate Bill 431
Notice Regarding Calls Claiming State Board Affiliation
GaDOE has received reports that an individual identifying herself as Pamela Moore has contacted multiple schools and claimed to represent the Georgia State Board of Education. The calls have reportedly included requests to speak with school principals.
Please note that no individual by that name is employed by the Department or affiliated with the State Board of Education. This individual is not authorized to represent GaDOE or the State Board.
School and district personnel should not provide the caller with student, employee or other sensitive information. Schools receiving such a call are encouraged to document the date and time, telephone number, statements made and information requested; notify their district administration; and report any threatening, fraudulent or otherwise concerning conduct to local law enforcement.
FY27 Federal Program Budget Submission
LEAs must submit a budget for each applicable federal program included in the Consolidated Application each fiscal year. Budgets should be submitted after CLIP approval and by October 1. The budget must be approved by the appropriate GaDOE program manager or specialist and then by the LEA’s superintendent. Federal funds are made available through the Georgia Grants Accounting Online Reporting System (GAORS) after the budget is approved.
- Additional Information: Federal Programs Handbook
- Contact: Brittan Ayers, brittan.ayers@doe.k12.ga.us
- Deadline: October 1, 2026
Georgia Leadership Development Learning Series
The Georgia Leadership Development Learning Series supports the professional growth of aspiring and current school and district leaders through practical, research-based learning experiences. Participants will strengthen their leadership knowledge, reflect on current practices, and develop action steps they can immediately apply within their schools and districts. The series is organized around four essential leadership domains: Strategic Leadership, including vision, planning, and continuous improvement; Organizational Leadership, focusing on effective systems, operations, and resource management; Leading for a Positive Culture, emphasizing relationships, communication, collaboration, and trust; and Leading for Learning, centered on instructional leadership, educator growth, and improved outcomes for all students.
- Additional Information: Event Flyer
- Contact: esdsupport@doe.k12.ga.us
Certified Teacher Induction Program (CTIP) Newsletter
The Educator Support and Development Division is pleased to announce the first GaDOE Certified Teacher Induction Program (CTIP) Newsletter! This issue features Lumpkin County Schools, a 2024 CTIP Certified District, along with CTIP updates and resources to support high-quality teacher induction.
Be sure to subscribe for future editions and register for our upcoming webinar, Recruit. Retain. Grow. Building High-Impact Teacher Induction Programs, to learn practical strategies for strengthening your district’s teacher induction program: CTIP Webinar Registration
We hope you’ll join us as we continue supporting high-impact teacher induction programs across Georgia!
- Additional Information: September CTIP Newsletter | Webinar Registration
- Contact: Christie Bailey, teachercertifiedinductionprogram@doe.k12.ga.us
Parent ProTech September Family Share
Your child’s online activity can sometimes be a window into their emotional well-being. This month’s Parent ProTech video, “What Does Teen Depression Look Like Now?”, offers practical tips for recognizing changes in behavior and supporting healthy digital habits at home.
Access your district’s ready-to-share family message and Parent ProTech sign-up link through the Family Messaging Calendar. Thank you for helping support Georgia families throughout the school year.
- Additional Information: GA District Links
- Contact: Russell Paine, russell.paine@doe.k12.ga.us
Reminder: Help Shape Georgia’s Special Education Teacher Retention Strategy
GaDOE is gathering feedback from current special education teachers to better understand the resources, supports, and conditions that contribute to teacher retention. Results will inform Georgia’s participation in the U.S. Department of Education Human Capital Learning Agenda. District and school administrators are encouraged to share the survey with current special education teachers.
- Additional Information: Survey
- Contact: Celeste Martin, celeste.martin@doe.k12.ga.us
- Deadline: September 4, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Reminder: Seeking Nominations for 2026-2028 State School Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council
State School Superintendent Richard Woods seeks nominations for parents to serve on the 2026-2028 State School Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC).
The State School Superintendent’s PAC is a group of parents from across the state that provides input on new policies, projects, and materials that impact students and their families. Advisory Council members are particularly focused on how to increase parent and family engagement to ensure student academic success. Members serve as advisors and meet with the State School Superintendent several times throughout their two-year term.
Please complete the State School Superintendent’s 2026-2028 Parent Advisory Council Nomination Form to nominate a parent.
- Additional Information: Nomination Form
- Contact: Mandi Griffin, mgriffin@doe.k12.ga.us
- Deadline: September 11, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Reminder: FY27 GOLD Grant Now Open
The Georgia Outdoor Learning Demonstration (GOLD) Grant, offered in collaboration with the Environmental Education Alliance, is intended to support the launch, revitalization, or expansion of outdoor learning opportunities for public school students in all parts of the state. Through an appropriation from the Georgia General Assembly, a minimum of 18 grants ranging from $500-$5000 per recipient will be awarded. Georgia LEAs and non-profit organizations providing outdoor learning opportunities to children are eligible to apply.
- Additional Information: GaDOE Grant Opportunities
- Contact: Keith Crandall, keith.crandall@doe.k12.ga.us
- Deadline: September 25, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
District Spotlight
Rome City Schools is launching Wolf P.U.P. (Play. Understand. Prepare.), a free bilingual early-learning program for three-year-olds and their parents. Beginning in September, families will meet weekly at Elm Street Elementary for activities focused on early literacy, language and communication skills, while parents learn practical strategies they can use to support learning at home. The program is designed to strengthen school readiness, encourage meaningful parent involvement in children’s early education, and help families prepare for the transition to prekindergarten.
- Additional Information: Rome City Schools Launches Wolf P.U.P. Program for 3-Year-Olds and Parents
Inside GaDOE
This week 2027 Georgia Teacher of the Year Charm Mapp and GaDOE Chief of Staff Christy Todd participated in the Trilith Foundation’s Flourishing Summit. The conversation centered on what it means to truly flourish, not simply survive or succeed, and how we can create educational environments where both students and educators can thrive. The panel explored the whole child, including how students think, feel, and experience learning. Mapp presented an interactive number talk demonstrating how creating space for students to think differently, take risks, and make mistakes can help them flourish. Todd highlighted state-level efforts through the Office of Whole Child Supports to make wellness an intentional part of education. The conversation also highlighted support from the Georgia Foundation for Public Education, through its PEACH Education Tax Credit, and the Trilith Foundation, including its partnership with the Georgia Teacher of the Year program, to help educators and students flourish.
Book a speaking engagement with Charm Mapp here. And don’t forget to explore the Professional Learning Catalog for upcoming GaDOE conferences, trainings, and events.