The State Board of Education (SBOE) met Dec. 11 and 12 to discuss and vote on a list of approved literacy screeners. The board also approved its officers and meeting calendar for 2025

A complete agenda is available through the button below. 

Competing Literacy Screener Lists Yield Compromise

SB 464 requires the SBOE to select a list of no more than five approved universal literacy screeners. The Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy led the work of the Literacy Screener Advisory Group (LSAG), which was tasked with producing a list of recommended screeners that meet the requirements of the Georgia Early Literacy Act.

Dr. Lindee Morgan, executive director of the Deal Center, presented the LSAG's report and findings to the SBOE. She also outlined the process used by the LSAG to study, assess, and select their recommended screeners. The LSAG recommended the following four screeners:

·     Amira ISIP

·     EPS Reading Assistant

·     Star Universal Reading Suite

·     mCLASS with DIBELS 8th Edition

State School Superintendent Richard Woods provided an alternative recommendation. This list added the iReady Universal Screening Suite and MAP Reading Fluency screeners and removed EPS Reading Assistant. The rationale behind this alternative list was that iREADY and MAP are widely used by school districts, and removing them from the list of approved literacy screeners could cause disruption for educators. iREADY and MAP were ranked fifth and sixth, respectively by the LSAG out of all assessed screeners, while EPS Reading Assistant was ranked second.

The selection of screeners involved significant debate among board members and others during the meeting. Ultimately, in a 10-4 vote, the board approved the following five screeners:

·     Amira ISIP

·     EPS Reading Assistant

·     Star Universal Reading Suite

·     mCLASS with DIBELS 8th Edition 

·     iReady Universal Screening Suite

Amira ISIP, the top-ranked screener, will be provided free of charge to all school systems.

Peach Education Tax Credit Presentation

Board member Matt Donaldson provided a brief presentation on how to make use of the Peach Education Tax Credit.

Chair and Superintendent Recognize Accomplishments

During his report, Board Chair Stan DeJarnett recognized board members who had recently been honored with various awards. Helen Rice was awarded the Leadership in Literacy Award by the Georgia chapter of the International Dyslexia Association, and Lisa Kinnemore was named a Champion for Children by the Georgia Charter Schools Association.

The superintendent's report was dedicated to honoring Amy Alderman, director of school and district improvement for the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE), on her retirement.

A group of CTAE teachers were also honored during the meeting. These teachers are part of a year-long leadership program called LEAD CTAE.

Other Business

The board approved an amendment to State Board of Education Rule 160-5-4-.15 Processing of Plans and Specifications for Public School Construction for initiation and public comment. This amendment is intended to ensure that local school systems consult with local law enforcement or emergency management agencies on the design of any facility or structure that will house public school students. Public comment on this rule change can be submitted HERE.

The board also approved its officers and calendar for 2025. Stan DeJarnet, Phenna Petty, and Matt Donaldson were reaffirmed as board chair, vice chair, and vice chair of appeals, respectively. The 2025 calendar was modified from its original version so that the January 2025 meetings will occur Jan. 14 and 15.