Data Requests & Contact

October 18, 2025 – Principals

Below are your weekly updates and reminders from the Georgia Department of Education. Click here for the District Deadlines and To-Dos Dashboard.

Georgia’s Commitment to Special Education Services and Supports

We understand there are concerns about special education services for students following the initial news of reductions in force at the U.S. Department of Education. To clarify, these RIFs – which have now been paused by a federal court – would affect staff at the federal Department of Education and not staff within GaDOE.

Georgia and other states still have access to the federal IDEA funds that support special education. Georgia districts, schools, parents, and families should be assured that regardless of what happens at the federal level, we will continue to provide students with consistent access to special education services and supports.

2025-2026 John Hancock Student Signature Award

GaDOE is proud to continue the John Hancock Student Signature Award, recognizing schools where students demonstrate excellence in cursive writing. Schools can earn this honor when 90% of students can write their name – or their name and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, for an additional recognition – in cursive. Submissions are open October 2025 through June 1, 2026. Celebrate your students’ mastery of this timeless skill – apply today!

Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP)

The Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP) is a required component of the high school health curriculum. To support your schools in implementing this program, we are sharing several key resources related to ADAP – linked below and available in the linked Health Resource Repository under the Health tab.

Please share this information with your district’s Health and Physical Education leaders and teachers as appropriate. Thank you for your continued support of Health and Physical Education programs across Georgia.

Free Statewide 3rd Grade Georgia Milestones ELA Prep Tutoring Sessions

GaDOE has partnered with Tutored by Teachers to offer Georgia Milestones test prep for third grade literacy/ELA from November 3 through 8. This statewide tutoring series will cover phonemic awareness, decoding, morphology, and comprehension. These sessions are also a great refresher for elementary teachers.

Elevating Writing Instruction with Live + AI Tools

In this free, statewide live session, Varsity Tutors will show educators strategies and tools to help students enhance clarity, structure, and voice in their work.

Amira ISIP Webinar and Office Hours

GaDOE is partnering with Amira to provide additional resources and support for districts interested in using the state’s free universal screener. The webinar and office hours will offer practical guidance, and real-world examples, and actionable strategies.