A Most Unusual Time
PAGE Legislative Team Pivots to Quickly Assess and Advocate for Educator Needs By Josh Stephens, PAGE Legislative Services Specialist
I
n March, the PAGE legislative team expanded its successful advocacy practices in response to the unprecedented, pandemic-triggered disruption of the 2020 legislative session as well as rapidly emerging policy issues. The team quickly engaged PAGE members to identify member concerns and promote those concerns with policymakers. The team highlighted issues that affect educators and students and advocated for policies that best support both groups with lawmakers, state and district educational leaders and other stakeholders. The PAGE team also connected with federal lawmakers to raise awareness of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia schools and the need for resources to protect student and educator health and safety and effectively respond to student academic and social-emotional needs. Launch of the 2020 Legislative Session: Calm Before the Storm The 2020 session of the Georgia General Assembly began on the third Monday of January, as required by state law. Guided by member-identified legislative priorities, PAGE lobbyists tackled multiple issues including protecting the Teacher Retirement System, reducing the number of standardized tests, and advocating for a teacher pay raise proposed by Gov. Brian Kemp. On March 12, legislators met for Crossover Day, the day by which all legislation must pass one chamber to remain eligible for passage into
22 PAGE ONE
law. The day became more significant when House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) and Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan announced that the General Assembly would suspend indefinitely after meeting once more, for legislative day 29 on March 13, due to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus. Kemp declared a public health state of emergency on March 14, and, on March 16, issued an executive order to close all public schools in the state. ‘A Most Unusual’ Recess: Listening to Members and Sharing Concerns The PAGE legislative team pivoted to provide opportunities for PAGE members to share feedback on the ever-changing K-12 education landscape created by the COVID-19 virus through two surveys: the COVID-19 Educator Impact Survey and COVID-19 Budget Impact Survey. More than 15,300 teachers, administrators, and school personnel who participated in the COVID-19 Educator Impact Survey from March 20 to March 27 provided information about how school closings affected them and their students. Claire Suggs, PAGE senior education policy analyst, analyzed the survey results and produced a report describing these challenges, including issues with remote learning and how educators responded to the changes spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. From June 3 to June 8, Georgia educators shared concerns about the impact potential budget cuts could have on them and their students in the 20202021 school year in the COVID-19 Budget Impact Survey. More than 9,100 educators participated in the survey, which captured their perspectives on state and local budget deliberations. From districts across the state, educators cited additional supports that
students will need in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team shared findings from both reports with lawmakers, educational leaders, the media and others who shape education policy decisions. Both reports are available on the PAGE website: www.pageinc.org. On June 9, the PAGE legislative team coordinated a virtual town hall for PAGE members with State School Superintendent Richard Woods and members of the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) leadership team. Woods and GaDOE staff responded to questions from PAGE members about the impact of August/September 2020
