Bill Text: GA HB280 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Quality Basic Education Act; mathematics or science teachers; additional compensation; provide

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 7-0)

Status: (Passed) 2009-07-01 - Effective Date [HB280 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-HB280-Introduced.html

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09 LC 33 2857-EC

House Bill 280

By: Representatives Coleman of the 97th, Ramsey of the 72nd, Cole of the 125th, Pruett of the 144th, Lindsey of the 54th, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Part 6 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to employment under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to provide for additional compensation for teachers in mathematics or science under certain conditions; to provide for standards for mathematics and science endorsements; to remove the sunset provision from the Georgia Master Teacher Program; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Part 6 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to employment under the "Quality Basic Education Act," is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:

"20-2-212.5.

(a)(1) On and after July 1, 2009, a secondary school teacher in a local school system who is or becomes certified in mathematics or science by the Professional Standards Commission shall be moved to the salary step on the state salary schedule that is applicable to four years of creditable service, unless he or she is already on or above such salary step. From such salary step, the teacher shall be attributed one additional year of creditable service on the salary schedule each year for five years.

(2) After five years, such teacher may continue to be attributed one additional year of creditable service on the salary schedule each year if he or she receives a Master Teacher Certification pursuant to Code Section 20-2-205.

(3) Upon expiration of five years if a Master Teacher Certification is not obtained or upon expiration of a Master Teacher Certification, such teacher shall be moved to the salary step applicable to the actual number of years of creditable service which the teacher has accumulated.

(b)(1)(A) On and after July 1, 2009, a kindergarten or elementary school teacher in a local school system who receives an endorsement in mathematics, science, or both from the Professional Standards Commission shall receive a stipend of $1,000.00 per endorsement for each year each such endorsement is in effect, up to a maximum of five years.

(B) After five years, such teacher may continue to receive such stipend if he or she receives a Master Teacher Certification pursuant to Code Section 20-2-205.

(C) Upon expiration of five years if a Master Teacher Certification is not obtained or upon expiration of a Master Teacher Certification, such teacher shall cease to receive the stipend.

(D) This paragraph shall be subject to appropriations by the General Assembly.

(2)(A) In order to qualify for the stipend pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, math and science endorsements shall:

(i) Be based on post-baccalaureate nondegree programs, independent of an initial preparation program in early childhood education;

(ii) Consist of a minimum of three courses, of which two courses shall be focused on the advancement of content knowledge and one course, or any additional course, shall be focused on content-specific pedagogy and proven strategies for teaching math or science to children in kindergarten through fifth grade; and

(iii) Include an authentic residency experience with a focus on application of knowledge and skills.

(B) The Professional Standards Commission shall establish standards for the math and science endorsements provided for in this subsection."

SECTION 2.

Said part is further amended by revising Code Section 20-2-205, relating to the Georgia Master Teacher Program, as follows:

"20-2-205.

(a) The General Assembly finds that excellent public school teachers deserve recognition for the extraordinary learning opportunity they provide to Georgia students.

(b) The Professional Standards Commission is authorized and directed to establish the 'Georgia Master Teacher Program' to provide recognition to certificated public school teachers who exhibit excellence in the classroom.

(c) The Professional Standards Commission shall establish criteria for a Master Teacher Certification. Such criteria shall include, at a minimum, evidence of student achievement, which must include student progress. A public school teacher with three or more years of teaching experience in Georgia may submit an application to the Professional Standards Commission for a Master Teacher Certification. The Professional Standards Commission shall review each application and determine whether a teacher meets the criteria for a Master Teacher Certification. If the Professional Standards Commission finds that a teacher's application meets the criteria, the teacher will be given a Master Teacher Certification, and that teacher will be known as and may be called a Master Teacher for a term to be determined pursuant to rules and regulations of the Professional Standards Commission, but in no event longer than seven years. The Professional Standards Commission is authorized to develop rules and regulations governing the Master Teacher Certification.

(d) This Code section shall be repealed on June 30, 2009."

SECTION 3.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.