09 LC 35
1456
Senate
Resolution 649
By:
Senator Buckner of the 44th
ADOPTED
SENATE
A
RESOLUTION
Urging
educational agencies, associations, boards, and commissions involved in the
accreditation process for school systems in grades kindergarten through 12 to
adopt policies and procedures that permit an opportunity for school systems to
submit necessary documentation; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the loss of a school system's accreditation is a serious issue with long-ranging
impact on a community and families; and
WHEREAS,
it is a gross injustice for Georgia's children to be punished by the loss of
accreditation due to the failings or mismanagement by boards or agencies that
are entrusted with the responsibility of educating Georgia students;
and
WHEREAS,
it is incumbent upon all stakeholders in the accreditation process to implement
a system of review that strives for accurate information.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that this body does hereby urge
educational agencies, associations, boards, and commissions to make their first
priority the education and well-being of the students of a school
system.
IT
IS FURTHER URGED that educational agencies, associations, boards, and
commissions involved in the accreditation process adopt a policy and practice
whereby school systems subject to losing accreditation shall be given every
reasonable opportunity to meet the standards and requirements of such
accrediting entity, and that such policy and practice include, at a minimum,
the following procedures:
(1)
Prior to the deadline for any report required as a response to a need for
improvement or correction, a school or school system shall be permitted to make
an early submission of the documentation and information that addresses the
sections or items in need of improvement or correction;
(2)
The accrediting entity shall accept such early submission of documentation as a
provisional submission rather than a final submission;
(3)
Following the provisional submission of the documentation, the accrediting
entity shall respond in writing as to whether the documentation is judged to
pass or fail and shall provide a description of the deficiencies in the
provisional submission; and
(4)
The accrediting entity shall provide the school or school system at least one
opportunity to correct or improve the documentation provided in the provisional
submission prior to the final deadline for submission.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to the State Board of
Education, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Georgia
Accrediting Commission.