by Mark Andrews
02.03.12

About one month into the Georgia General Assembly, education has become a key issue with several bills being introduced this week ranging from areas such as parent interaction and early childcare safety to disciplinary action toward local school board members.

As technology grows in the classroom and the speed of communication gains momentum, there have been discussions regarding a reversal of a law that bans students from bringing their own smartphones, tablet computers and other technology into the classroom.

“The legislation is out there, but it’s not official yet,” said Cartersville Rep. Paul Battles. “The question is whether they can have smartphones with them or on their persons that could distract them from the instruction they’re getting from the teachers, and it’s an ongoing discussion right now and there are pros and cons.”

Similar technology currently is being used throughout Bartow and Cartersville schools. For example, the freshman academy at Cartersville High School issues students iPads while the Bartow Education Foundation’s Teacher Grant Program has provided teachers with the same.

However, Battles said while student-supplied technology would provide students with more resources, there are concerns with students having constant access to this form of communication. Both Bartow and Cartersville schools have disciplinary guidelines for misuse of technology.

“There have been those who have been opposed to taking cellphones for security reasons, and there are those with their iPhones and tweeting and other communication possibilities — they’re spending a lot of time communicating with friends rather than listening to their teacher and paying attention to class work,” Battles said.

Concerning student discipline, House Bill 156 would allow parents of students with chronic discipline problems or returning from expulsion or suspension to make classroom observations. It also would provide for parent conferences when a student receives a failing grade on two consecutive report cards in a subject or course and to provide for proceedings against a parent or guardian who fails to attend the conferences.

Amidst last month’s news reports of nearly 2,500 daycare centers failing to meet the state’s standards for children’s health and safety at least once in the past four years, House Bill 857 would permit daycare centers to have child safety alarms installed in vehicles used to transport children, also requiring the director or owner of a daycare center to ensure the maintenance and working order of the alarms.

Among those failing the standard is the now-closed Kids’ Junction Kid Zone, which remained non-compliant for four years from 2008 to 2011, during which the daycare saw multiple complaints and the arrest of an employee on the grounds of reckless conduct.

The bill also calls for daycare centers to post an inspection report near the entrance and to require the department to promote the rules and procedures regulating the installation of the child safety alarms.

House Bill 859, if adopted, would revise provisions relating to the governor’s authority in regards to suspension and removal of school board members and provide that hearings by the State Board of Education be open for public comment. It also would authorize the governor to impose additional requirements on local school systems who fail to meet accreditation standards.

Read The Daily Tribune News for updates on education legislation in the Georgia General Assembly.
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