Miller Wants To Shake Up Teacher-Investigation Agency

By Linda Jacobson

Prompted by a backlog of cases at the agency responsible for investigating teacher misconduct in Georgia, Gov. Zell Miller is pushing legislation that would do away with the agency and turn its duties over to another state office.

The investigative agency, the Professional Practices Commission, came under fire last year after The Associated Press uncovered names of convicted criminals who were still certified to teach in Georgia. According to the AP, an incarcerated child molester and a high school guidance counselor who allegedly raped a student were among those certified to teach.

Commission officials have blamed the problems on a shortage of investigators. The office now has an 18-month backlog of investigations. In 1997, the PPC handled...