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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – JANUARY 2005
By Gail Marshall, GSTA President

It’s that time of the year again – The Georgia General Assembly is in session.  This year, education issues are predicted to be among the most important considerations.  Throughout the year, several issues have been discussed which may now surface in proposed legislation during this 2005 session of the Georgia General Assembly.

In addition to the work of our Legislative Advocate, Lasa Joiner, and the GSTA Executive Board, we must rely on you, our membership, to provide a base of support in the home districts of the various state senators and representatives.  When an issue arises and there is a need for a rapid show of GSTA’s support or opposition, you provide evidence of the strength of the organization when you call, email, and/or write your local legislators.             

Sometimes the need for this support arises very quickly and time to act is limited. Since there are many newly elected legislators, it is important to check the pertinent information for areas by going to http://www.legis.state.ga.us/ and clicking on the “Find Your Legislator” link to the left of the screen. 

To learn more about GSTA’s legislative efforts and how you can participate, you are invited to attend the Legislative session at the GSTA Annual Conference in Columbus.  This session will be held at 1 PM on Friday.  This will also be an excellent opportunity to meet Lasa Joiner and to your ideas with her.  Hope to see you there.

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Legislative Update – March 2004

            During Fall 2003, as well as January – March of 2004, Lasa Joiner, Legislative Advocate for GSTA has kept GSTA Board members informed about committee meetings, State Board of Education meetings, and events in the 2004 General Assembly which can potentially impact science education in Georgia schools.  Several GSTA Board members have attended and spoken at committee meetings and have, along with Lasa, met with members of the General Assembly.  Further meetings will likely occur prior to the ending of the session.  Many of the concerns for last year have been carried over to this year.   In a year of major budget concerns, changes that necessitate any funding are very difficult.  Our philosophy has been, however, to be reasonable and understanding,  while at the same time continuing to state our case for those changes which we believe are in the best interest of students.  GSTA believes that there is need for:

·   Targeted funding for science equipment and materials at all grade levels.

·   Maintaining low numbers of students in science lab classes.

·    Assessments which address the problem-solving, hands on nature of science.

·    Extensive professional development to support the new curriculum standards for Georgia.

Several members of GSTA have continued to have an active role in the shaping of the proposed new Georgia curriculum standards.  GSTA is in the process of developing a position statement regarding the role of GSTA in the professional development of teachers of science throughout the state. It is very important for GSTA members to continue to contact their own Georgia senators and representatives.  Refer to the information on this link of the GSTA website for suggested topics as well as contact information.

            For a word.doc version of this file, click here:  Update 3-18-04

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GSTA Legislative Update Summer 2004

            During the spring and summer months of 2004, GSTA has been actively involved in support of the adoption of the new Georgia Science Performance Standards.  In May, several members of the GSTA Executive Board attended the presentation of the Georgia Performance Standards to the State Board of Education.  In July, the K-12 Science Standards were adopted.  In an effort to support the implementation of these new standards, the 2005 GSTA Conference in Columbus will feature sessions which provide GPS related information and training.   Check the GSTA publications and the website (www.georgiascienceteacher.org) for more information on the conference.

            At the July State Board of Education meeting, GSTA presented a statement against a proposal to increase high school science class size.  In order to provide safe science classrooms where both teachers and students can engage in productive inquiry based science, GSTA recommended that the BOE of Education maintain the cap of 28 students and immediately begin work toward the NSTA guidelines of no more than 24 students in both middle and high school science classrooms.  Data and information were presented on the actual personal space available in representative middle and high school classrooms having 28, 30, or more students, and how increasing the numbers affects the safety of the classroom as well as the overall quality of the instructional experiences.   At the August meeting, the State Board of Education voted, 7 to 6, to allow an average of 28 students in high school science classes, with a maximum of  30 students.  This will apply for the current school year.  During the next year, the Board will work with the legislature to plan for reduction of science class size to 24 (the NSTA recommended size).  GSTA will continue to work, with the help of Lasa Joiner, Legislative Advocate, to assist the State Board in these efforts.

            GSTA needs the support of all members in these efforts.  Your  help will be needed at times to contact the state representatives and senators from your own area to acquaint them with the GSTA position on certain issues.  Since a number of these people will be new after November, you should check the “Find Your Legislator” link on the General Assembly website (http://www.legis.state.ga.us/).  Watch for notification from your District Director regarding the need to make contacts. 

            If you are aware of issues needing the attention of GSTA, or if you would like to help with the Legislative Committee, email either Karol Stephens (kstephens@bibb.k12.ga.us) or Gail Marshall (gmahs@bellsouth.net).

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

August 2003

In early August several GSTA Board Members, other interested GSTA members, and Lasa Joiner, GSTA Legislative Advocate, met with Stephen Pruitt, recently appointed the State Science Specialist for the Georgia Department of Education. The purpose was to meet Stephen and to let him know that GSTA wants to work with him to improve science education in Georgia. We shared with Stephen the goals and objectives of the Georgia Science Teachers Association, the issues and concerns expressed by the membership, and plans for the National Science Teachers Association Conference to be held in Atlanta in April 2004. He updated us regarding the progress on revision of the Georgia QCCs and plans for assessment at various grade levels. Stephen also agreed to assist GSTA with providing information to superintendents and staff development coordinators in the various school systems regarding the use of Title II federal funds for teachers to attend the National Science Teachers Conference (as well as other professional conferences).

We discussed preparation for the upcoming legislative season and the need to continue to meet with legislators to make them aware of the needs for science education. The three major points of emphasis will continue to be: reduced class sizes for science classrooms, assessmen