Clear expectations for teachers and their ongoing training will be spelled out in a soon-to-be-released document, Georgia state schools Superintendent Kathy Cox announced recently in her first State of Education Address, which she gave to the state board of education, state education officials, and state education department staff members.
The “Georgia Principles and Framework for Accomplished Teaching,” Ms. Cox said in her Sept. 1 speech, “creates a common language and a common set of expectations for the preparation and ongoing professional development of teachers—from novice to veteran.”
The state education department is also beginning the implementation of a “master teacher/academic coach” program, a new certification for experienced teachers that state lawmakers passed this year.
“Sometimes, the best training for teachers is one classroom over,” the elected superintendent, a Republican, said, adding that the program is one way “to give accomplished teachers incentives to remain in the classroom and to help train their colleagues.”