Perdue’s proposed bills could affect GC&SU’s future teachers

Pending education bills proposed in Gov. Sonny Perdue’s 2005 Georgia Learns education package may improve Georgia’s public school systems.

These bills would increase availability of online courses, offer spending flexibility and include a “Master Teacher” program that would offer special training, extra pay and leadership opportunities for qualified teachers.

Georgia College & State University Chair and Professor of Special Education & Administration Craig Smith is one of 14 members of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission in Georgia. Smith testified on behalf of the “Master Teacher” program and said he believes the university will be able to see the effects of this legislation within the next few years.

“I think it’s a great idea. The ‘Master Teacher’ bill will have a ripple effect,” Smith said. “Probably in three or four years we will see the effects of that in terms of kids who are better prepared for college.”

Dean of Education Linda Irwin-Devitis said the “Master Teacher” plan would provide better support for new teachers, and said it would also provide education school graduates with leadership opportunities.

“We do a great job preparing our students, but there is a need for continued mentoring,” Irwin-Devitis said. “It’s also something that will allow undergraduates to aspire to improve and play a different role without having to go through administration.”

Dr. Cynthia Alby, Foundations & Secondary Education chair, said she hopes GC&SU education students will benefit from the legislation.

“In terms of the possibility of becoming a ‘Master Teacher,’ I think a lot of our graduates will seek that, and I think it will be great for them,” Alby said.

Smith said part of the reason for Georgia’s need for educational improvements is a lack of funding.

“Georgia is a poor state and they don’t allocate as much money as a lot of states do. It’s not just in terms of throwing money at education,” Smith said. “When you look at class size and we talk about allocating resources to schools, school systems that have a smaller student to teacher ratio tend to be more effective.”

Funding methods throughout the state were also addressed in the bill. According to The Macon Telegraph, Perdue said he feels the current methods of allocation are inefficient, but that he has also decided not to implement a mandate that would decrease class sizes.

Alby said she wishes the state could do something to address the need for smaller classrooms.

“I think any teacher would tell you one of the very best things you can do is to decrease class size,” Alby said. “Most classrooms can’t even fit enough chairs. Large class sizes are contributing to a lack of quality of education that students are getting.”

Freshman Sydney Cash said she saw a difference in her education when she moved from Gwinnett County to Milledgeville.

“I think the smaller classroom size has definitely improved my learning abilities and has increased my appreciation for what I am learning,” Cash said. “I wish class sizes had been smaller [in high school] because I think I would have done better if I had more individual one on one time with my teachers.”

Although changes in classroom size are not currently being modified by any legislation, decisions on Perdue’s proposals are expected by the end of this legislative session. Changes would be implemented by next year.

Irwin-Devitis said the legislation could be an important step toward improving Georgia’s education system.

“I think the key to strengthening Georgia’s education is to strengthen Georgia’s teachers,” Devitis said. “I don’t think this [legislation] could solve the problem by itself, but it could be part of the puzzle.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Apr 1 2005. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry