Continuing the reputation for expertise, transparency and strong policy.
DIVISIONS
Charter Schools
Policy
Federal Policy and Programs
Governmental Affairs

CONTACT INFORMATION
Garry McGiboney, Ph.D.
Associate Superintendent Policy, External Affairs and Charter

2053 Twin Towers East
205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE
Atlanta, GA 30334
 (404) 657-2965
 (404) 651-6867
  gmcgiboney@doe.k12.ga.us

Howard Hendley, Ed.D
Director, Policy

2053 Twin Towers East
205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE
Atlanta, GA 30334
 (404) 657-2965
 (404) 651-6867
  policy@doe.k12.ga.us

Allan Meyer
Assistant Director, Policy

2053 Twin Towers East
205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE
Atlanta, GA 30334
 (404) 657-2965
  policy@doe.k12.ga.us

  Staff Contact List

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RELATED INFORMATION
  A Comparison of IE2, Charter Systems, & Status Quo (UPDATED 5/16/11)
  FY12 Class Size Resolutions (10/25/11)
  FY11 Class Size Resolutions (8/4/11)
  FY11 SBOE Waivers Approved Jul 2010-June 2011
  FY10 SBOE Waivers Approved Sept 09 - June 10
Policy Division Policy

The Georgia Department of Education Policy Division performs duties and functions as follows:

  • Coordinating the development of policy, research, and evaluation projects for the Department
  • Processing Georgia High School Graduation Test waivers and variances and facilitating the application and review process
  • Receiving and processing State Board of Education rule waiver requests from local school systems
  • Providing assistance and support in the State Board of Education rule promulgation process
  • Providing timely and accurate policy related information to the State Superintendent, and State Board of Education
  • Providing support, information, and assistance related to Georgia’s Residential Treatment Facilities (RTF) and the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program (GSNSP)
  • Collaborating with other agencies and organizations to identify and address educational policy issues and concerns

Student Attendance Improvement

Data indicates that missing more than five days of school each year, regardless of the cause, begins to impact student academic performance and starts shaping attitudes about school.

Improving Student Attendance

Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program (GSNS)

The Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program is a parental choice program for special needs students attending Georgia public schools who are served under an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The GSNSP web page contains pertinent and useful information for parents, public school administrators, and private school administrators with regard to the program.

Georgia Special needs Scholarship Program

Georgia Residential Treatment Facilities (RTF)

All Georgia students in state custody from other state agencies are entitled to a free public education consistent with the Constitution n of Georgia, and in conformity with the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the Individuals With Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA). Additional information and guidance pertaining to RTF may be obtained from the Georgia Department of Education RTF website.

Residential Treatment Facilities Served Under Amended O.C.G.A. 20-2-133(b)

Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT) Student Waivers and Variances

Certain allowances may be considered in meeting high school graduation test score requirements for some students under limited and prescribed circumstance and conditions. Interested parties may learn more about the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) and Georgia High School Writing Test waiver and variance processes at our website as follow:

Graduation Test Waivers and Variances

Georgia Tax Credit Program

The Georgia Private School Tax Credit law allows eligible private citizens and corporations to receive tax credits for donations to Georgia Student Scholarship Organizations (SSO’s). Potential donors and private school administrators may obtain useful and beneficial information related to this program from the Georgia Tax Credit website.

Georgia Private School Tax Credit for Donations to Student Scholarship Organizations

Investing in Educational Excellence (IE2) Partnership Contracts

IE2 Partnership Contracts are intended to provide local school districts with greater governance flexibility as a means of increasing student achievement. Local school system administrators, local board members, and other interested individuals may access and review information related to these contracts at the Investing in Educational Excellence Partnership Contracts website.

Investing in Educational Excellence IE2 Partnership Contracts

Education Guidance
  Bullying Prevention Toolkit/ Model Policy
  Seclusion and Restraint for All Students - Rule
  Guidance for Rule Seclusion and Restraint for All Students
  PowerPoint Slides - Seclusion and Restraint
  Elluminate Training - Seclusion and Restraint - 8/30/10

LEA Waivers
  Waiver Tracking

POLICY LINKS
  Policy Research Links
  State Legislative Links
  Georgia Education Agencies
  Education Associations

Local Board Governance
  Final List of Local Board Governance Providers
  Local Board Governance Training Provider Proposal Request
  Overview
  Timeline
  SBOE Rule
  SBOE Guidance
  Standards
  Code of Ethics
  Conflict of Interest
  Sample Compliance Form
  Preclearance Memo & Sample Resolution
  Powerpoint Presentation (1/21/2011)
  Requirements
  Local Board Governance Training Plan Form