Governor Perdue's Education Package Gains Momentum

Atlanta - Governor Sonny Perdue today congratulated the Senate Education Committee for unanimously passing the Governor's school discipline legislation (SB428) and the flexibility and accountability legislation (SB429). The full Senate may consider these two bills as early as next week.

"I want to thank the Senate Education Committee for their bipartisan and unanimous support of these two important pieces of legislation. Teachers in this state deserve our support when dealing with disruptive and unruly students in their classroom. And our local school systems must have the flexibility they need to make the best decisions for their students. It is my intent that these reforms, along with an across-the-board pay raise for teachers, will help restore respect to educators."

The Governor's discipline bill will make clear to disruptive students that teachers are in charge of the classroom by expanding the number of discipline tools available to teachers and schools. Disruptive students who fail to respect their teacher and fellow students will be held accountable. Students with ten or more unexcused absences in any semester will not be permitted to have a driver's license or permit until they resume attending school. Students with ten or more days of suspension will lose their license for six months and students who drop out of school will not be able to obtain a license until age 18.

The education accountability and flexibility bill will make permanent the flexibility provided local school systems this year. Flexibility is particularly important with schools having to meet Adequately Yearly Progress under the No Child Left Behind Act. This bill will allow school systems to distribute financial and human resources to the students who need them most.