October 31, 2016 
Georgia Professional Standards Commission Meeting
October 2016
The following actions occurred at the Georgia Professional Standards Commission's (GaPSC) monthly meeting in October of 2016.
New Commissioners

Three new commissioners were introduced: Mr. Rodney Green, a central office administrator from Lowndes County Schools; Dr. Isiah Hill, Jr., an educator at the Greater Atlanta Christian School; and Ms. Amanda Miliner, an educator from Houston County Schools.
Ethics Division

Ethics Cases
The GaPSC issued a suspension of three years to an educator accused of pulling a student out of a wheelchair and throwing him on the floor.
An educator who allegedly took a picture of and showed a written district reorganization plan, which had not yet been shared with the public, to her boyfriend, who could've potentially lost his job under the reorganization plan, was given a suspension of 60 days.
The Commission typically issues a one year suspension to educators accused of consuming alcohol on campus.
In ethics cases against educators before the Office of State Administrative Hearings, the GaPSC has the burden of proof by a "preponderance of the evidence" standard - the GaPSC must show that the allegation is more likely to be true than not true.

The Commission extended the investigation of an educator accused of killing a person after running a red light. The educator is alleged to have been on prescription medication at the time of the accident and warned against driving while taking that medication.  

Abandonment of Contract Task Force
An update on the Abandonment of Contract Task Force was provided by Dr. Paul Shaw, director of the Ethics Division. A final decision has not been made, but the Task Force is considering a proposal that Standard 8: Abandonment of Contract be eliminated from the Code of Ethics for Educators and all abandonment of contract cases be investigated under Standard 10: Professional Conduct. The Task Force hopes to finalize its recommendations in early 2017.  
 
Complaints
The GaPSC shared that it receives around 125 ethics complaints per month and sanctions about 440 certificates per year.
Certification Updates
The GaPSC adopted changes to the Renewal Requirements rule. Beginning on July 1, 2017, Professional Learning Units (PLUs) will no longer be required to renew professional teaching certificates for educators. Written Professional Learning Plans (PLPs) or Professional Learning Goals (PLGs), developed locally, will be required for all certificate holders employed by a Georgia local unit of administration (LUA). PLPs outline requirements for the professional growth of educators, and will clearly delineate support the school or school system will provide for the educator's professional growth. PLGs will outline identified areas for educator growth for those educators not required to have PLPs.

 

The rule will give educators who are not currently employed the option of completing PLUs to keep their certifications current. 


You may find more information about renewal requirements here .
November Meeting

The next GaPSC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 10.

Leonard Williams
Staff Attorney
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