The State Board of Education (SBOE) approved a rule intended to provide timely and effective referral of students in grades K-3 who have characteristics of dyslexia.
SBOE Vice Chair Stan DeJarnett invited Dr. Valera Hudson, pediatrician-in-chief at Children's Hospital of Georgia, and chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, to provide an overview of challenges that Georgia's medical systems face when treating children with mental health conditions.
Several board members shared their condolences with the family of former First Lady Sandra Deal upon her passing while also sharing memories of their interactions with Mrs. Deal, who was a strong advocate for early childhood literacy.
The next SBOE meetings are scheduled for Sept. 28 and 29.
Dyslexia Rule Gains Final Approval The SBOE approved rule 160-4-2-.39, Dyslexia Identification and Support intended to provide timely and effective referral of students in grades K-3 who have characteristics of dyslexia. The rule fulfills a requirement of SB 48, which passed in 2019, and was refined by the Dyslexia Rule Review Committee facilitated by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB).
State School Supt. Richard Woods Presents Awards to School Leaders State School Superintendent Richard Woods recognized Elgin Mayfield Jr. from Bonaire Primary School in Houston County and Jeannette Hallam from East Coweta Middle School in Coweta County as National Distinguished Principal award recipients from Georgia. Leanne McCall, the principal at Lowndes High School, was recognized as Georgia Principal of the Year. Krista Pearson, also from Lowndes High School, was recognized as Georgia Assistant Principal of the Year. The winners of both awards are selected by the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals, an affiliate of the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL).