Priority for a Quality Basic Education. A Second Report to Governor Joe Frank Harris and the Georgia General Assembly.

Overview & Synopsis

This report deals with quality basic education in Georgia. It recommends that: (1) the definition of a quality basic education be periodically updated; (2) vocational education be updated to increase responsiveness to supply and demand and to strengthen the involvement of business and industry; (3) new teachers be attracted by targeting both entering college students and college graduates; (4) effective leaders be recruited; (5) extended contracts be offered to eligible personnel; (6) state, local, and regional responsibilities be established and monitored; (7) education for parents of preschoolers be provided; (8) gifted students be educated by establishing a state residential school and by enhancing existing programs; (9) further provisions be made for handicapped students; (10) the role of instructional support services be clarified and their availability throughout the state assured; (11) vocational education delivery structures be attended to; (12) a statewide plan for linkages between secondary and postsecondary vocational education be developed; (13) regional services be consolidated and regrouped; (14) expenditures and efficiency be monitored; and (15) financial incentives for effectiveness and efficiency be provided. A postscript addresses the importance of the human element, i.e., of effective teachers and administrators. A long appendix analyzes quality basic education, focusing on the basic skills needed in various subject areas. Two further appendices describe the proficiencies of effective teachers and of effective school leaders. (RDN)