Georgia Department of Education Website
Data Requests & Contact

August 10, 2026 – Superintendents

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.

Seeking Nominations for the 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: Friday, September 11, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

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

2026 Non-Participation Application Available in Portal

The Non-Participation application, which allows districts to provide reasons for student non-participation in assessments in 2026, is now available for district users in the MyGaDOE Portal. If errors in completing the application are made, participation rates and Content Mastery on the 2026 CCRPI may be negatively impacted. Additionally, EOC, EOG, GAA, WIDA ACCESS, and WIDA Alternate ACCESS assessments are now available in the Assessment Matching application.

Both the Non-Participation and the Assessment Matching applications will close August 27 at 4 p.m. and superintendent sign-off is required. Contact the GaDOE accountability specialist assigned to assist your district with questions regarding the applications.

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.

Two New Computer Science Grant Opportunities

Computer Science Teacher Credential (CSTC) Grant
The Computer Science Teacher Credential (CSTC) Grant is designed to support the broadening of participation in K-12 Computer Science (CS) education and to assist in implementing O.C.G.A. 20-2-149.3 by providing funding for teacher professional development and training, as well as teacher certifications and endorsements for middle and high school CS teachers. Georgia LEAs are eligible to apply.

Computer Science Teacher Equipment and Community (CSTEC) Grant
The Computer Science Teacher Equipment and Community (CSTEC) Grant aims to provide support for all students to access and engage in computer science experiences. This grant offers professional support for instruction, practice, and pedagogy, including the use of physical computing to engage students in computer science education. Georgia LEAs are eligible to apply.

  • Additional Information: GaDOE Grant Opportunities
  • Contact: Lavita Williams, lavita.williams@doe.k12.ga.us
  • Deadline: October 2, 2026 at 5 p.m.

Top State for Talent Grant: High Demand Career Equipment Now Open

The Top State for Talent Grant: High Demand Career Equipment is intended to support the implementation or enhancement of a CTAE program in the delivery of a High Demand Career Pathway. Funding amounts are correlated to the CRE-modified lab designated amounts. Georgia LEAs meeting specific requirements are eligible to apply.

  • Additional Information: GaDOE Grant Opportunities
  • Contact: Roger Ivey, rivey@doe.k12.ga.us
  • Deadline: Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 5 p.m.

Reminder: 2026 Cohort Withdrawal Update and Summer Graduate Collection Applications Available in Portal

The 2026 Cohort Withdrawal Update (CWU) and the 2026 Summer Graduate Collection (SG) applications are now available in the MyGaDOE Portal. Both applications must be completed with superintendent sign-off by 4 p.m. on August 27 and are critical to ensuring accurate school and district graduation rates.

The CWU application allows districts and/or high schools to make needed withdrawal reason corrections (with appropriate documentation on file) for students in the 2026 cohort. The SG application, available to district staff only, allows the district to provide graduation information for 12th grade students not in the 2026 cohort who were reported with no withdrawal code or were reported as graduated with a Certificate of Attendance or a Special Education diploma in Student Record and graduated with a ‘G’ (General) or ‘L’ (Alternate) diploma between 5/15/26 and 8/14/26.

Contact the GaDOE accountability specialist assigned to assist your district with questions regarding the applications.

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.

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.