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.
2025-2026 Georgia Milestones Public Release
This year, GaDOE plans to publicly release 2025-2026 results in two phases: one release for mathematics, science, and social studies results in early August and one release for ELA results in early December. Given the implementation of new ELA standards and assessments, additional test development activities must be completed prior to the release of ELA results. The public release for mathematics, science, and social studies results is scheduled for Thursday, August 6. All summary results remain embargoed until publicly released by GaDOE.
Facilities and School Registry Annual Update Prep
The window for updating the Facilities and School Registry (FSR) opened July 1, 2026. Please see the document linked below for details on what needs to be updated and how to update the information.
- Additional Information: FSR Guidance
- Contact: Kelland Waldrep, kwaldrep@doe.k12.ga.us
HB 268 Suicide and Violence Prevention FAQ
Georgia House Bill 268 (OCGA 20-2-779.1) requires one hour of evidence-based suicide awareness and prevention training and one hour of evidence-based youth violence prevention training for students. In compliance with Georgia State Procurement Code, GaDOE, in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) conducted a Request for Qualified Contractors. The list of programs and frequently asked questions is linked below.
Student Mental/Behavioral Health Services Grant Continues for FY27
The $20.7 million state appropriation for Student Mental/Behavioral Health Services Grants, based on a state funding formula of $20,000 per middle and high school, will continue for FY27. Monthly installments will come via QBE allotments beginning July 2026. Districts will be asked to complete a brief final report for FY26 along with projected spending for FY27 in October 2026.
- Contact: Dr. Tabathia Baldy, tabathia.baldy@doe.k12.ga.us
District Representation on Title I Committee of Practitioners
The Georgia Department of Education is seeking nominations for the Title I Committee of Practitioners (COP), a statewide advisory committee that helps shape Title I implementation in Georgia. Current openings include CTAE teachers, principals, other school leaders, parents, local school board members, specialized instructional support personnel, representatives of authorized public chartering agencies, and charter school leaders. Superintendents are encouraged to nominate qualified individuals from their districts by August 14.
- Additional Information: Nomination Form
- Contact: Mandi Griffin, mgriffin@doe.k12.ga.us
Simplify ESSA Administration with Consolidation of Administrative Funds
Looking for ways to reduce administrative burden and streamline federal program management? ESSA’s Consolidation of Administrative Funds flexibility allows LEAs to combine allowable administrative costs into a single federal cost pool, reducing recordkeeping requirements and simplifying time-and-effort documentation. LEAs planning to consolidate administrative funds in the upcoming fiscal year must email federalprograms@doe.k12.ga.us to indicate their intent by August 1, 2026.
- Additional Information: FY27 Participation in Consolidation of Administrative Funds
- Deadline: August 1, 2026
- Contact: Brittan Ayers, brittan.ayers@doe.k12.ga.us
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.
- Deadline: August 27, 2026 at 4 p.m.
- Contact: GaDOE Accountability Specialist List
Public Notice of ESSA Waiver for Brantley County Schools due to the Highway 82 Wildfire
GaDOE is seeking comments on a waiver request for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education (US ED).
As a result of the Highway 82 wildfire, schools in Brantley County were closed for a substantial portion of the state testing window for the state’s general assessment, Georgia Milestones. GaDOE is seeking to waive specific requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), for all Brantley County schools for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years.
A survey with an opportunity for public comment is provided at the link below until 11:59 p.m. July 31, 2026.
- Additional Information: Federal Public Comment
- Deadline: July 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
EL Identification Procedures for New and Transfer Students in SY 2026-27
LEAs must implement their written EL entrance procedures as aligned to statewide EL entrance procedures for new and transfer students. Additional information is available through the link below.
- Additional Information: ESOL Program State Resource Guide
- Contact: Dr. Meg Baker, mbaker@doe.k12.ga.us
Annual Remedial Education Program (REP) Assurance Form
For the 2026-27 school year, superintendents of all local education agencies (LEAs) will be required to submit an annual REP assurance form on or before September 1, 2026, through the MyGaDOE Portal.
- Additional Information: REP Guidance
- Contact: Felicia Purdy, felicia.purdy@doe.k12.ga.us
Annual Early Intervention Program (EIP) Superintendent Assurance Form
For the 2026-27 school year, superintendents of all local education agencies (LEAs) will be required to submit an annual EIP assurance form on or before September 1, 2026, through the MyGaDOE Portal.
- Additional Information: EIP Guidance
- Contact: Felicia Purdy, felicia.purdy@doe.k12.ga.us
Annual Gifted Education Assurances Form
For the 2026-27 school year, superintendents of all local education agencies (LEAs) will be required to submit an annual Gifted Education Assurance Form on or before September 1, 2026, through the MyGaDOE Portal.
- Additional Information: Gifted Assurances Form
- Contact: Mary Jean Banter, maryjean.banter@doe.k12.ga.us