Presented in a news-style format, Lawmakers weaves live footage from the House and Senate floors, interviews with policy makers, citizen reactions, and newsroom discussion together into a complete hour of current events education. Since Lawmakers airs every evening throughout the legislative session, it offers your students the most up-to-the-minute and in-depth coverage of state legislative activity. This program would prove most beneficial in specialized courses on government and policy as it demands a certain amount of knowledgeability about legislative terminology and current legislation.
In addition to airing weekdays from 7-8 PM on GPTV, Lawmakers is now streamed live online at www.gpb.org. All shows for the upcoming legislative session will be archived online. This technology will allow students to call the video programs up on demand by date, making detailed information about legislative events available 24 hours a day. The Lawmakers website also offers several links to other Internet sites that your students will find useful for exploring state government.
Take a moment to watch an episode of Lawmakers and discover how much GPB has to share with your students. Ask your media specialist to record Lawmakers for your class everyday or make special arrangements to record the show on days when key pieces of legislation are being discussed.
Monday, January 7, 2002
Tuesday, January 1, 2002
Are You Ready?
Help Your Students Get Ready to Learn
On October 27,1992, Congress enacted Public Law 102-545, known as the "Ready to Learn Act." The purpose of this legislation was to improve school readiness by expanding the production and distribution of educational and instructional video programming and supporting materials for preschool and elementary school children.
The Ready to Learn (RTL) Service of the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) is an initiative designed to address this legislation and help our nation move towards the goal of all children starting school "ready to learn." PeachStar Education Services of Georgia Public Broadcasting is solely responsible for bringing RTL programming to the state of Georgia. The Ready to Learn Service of Georgia Public Broadcasting represents an active, community-based approach to helping young children begin their educational journeys through the following efforts:
* A daily line-up of children's programming, especially designed to meet the needs of preschool and school age children.
* A strong literacy component - including the distribution of PBS Families magazine and First Book, a program to distribute books to children who may not otherwise have them.
* Statewide conferences and regional seminars/workshops.
If you are interested in scheduling a workshop or training, please contact: Phyllis Grant, Elementary Project Manager, at (404) 685-2572 or pgrant@gpb.org.
On October 27,1992, Congress enacted Public Law 102-545, known as the "Ready to Learn Act." The purpose of this legislation was to improve school readiness by expanding the production and distribution of educational and instructional video programming and supporting materials for preschool and elementary school children.
The Ready to Learn (RTL) Service of the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) is an initiative designed to address this legislation and help our nation move towards the goal of all children starting school "ready to learn." PeachStar Education Services of Georgia Public Broadcasting is solely responsible for bringing RTL programming to the state of Georgia. The Ready to Learn Service of Georgia Public Broadcasting represents an active, community-based approach to helping young children begin their educational journeys through the following efforts:
* A daily line-up of children's programming, especially designed to meet the needs of preschool and school age children.
* A strong literacy component - including the distribution of PBS Families magazine and First Book, a program to distribute books to children who may not otherwise have them.
* Statewide conferences and regional seminars/workshops.
If you are interested in scheduling a workshop or training, please contact: Phyllis Grant, Elementary Project Manager, at (404) 685-2572 or pgrant@gpb.org.
Saturday, December 1, 2001
Norm-Referenced Testing in Georgia with the Stanford Achievement Test Series
Georgia law requires all public school students in grades 3,5, and 8 be administered a norm-referenced test each year. Spring 2002 will be the second year students in Georgia public schools will be administered the Complete Battery of the Stanford Achievement Test Series, Ninth Edition (Stanford 9) multiple-choice assessment. School systems in Georgia have designated a week between March 11 and April 5 for about five hours of testing.
Norm-referenced tests help students, parents, and educators understand how the performance of Georgia students compares to students nationally. Test results are used to develop instructional activities and to evaluate educational programs with the goals of helping students succeed in school.
A video, Norm-Referenced Testing in Georgia with the Stanford 9, will be aired on PeachStar in December as a means to share information.
The goals of the video are to:
* Increase understanding of the Georgia norm-Referenced Testing program
* Define what a norm-referenced test is and how it is constructed
* Provide an overview of the Stanford 9
* Define and discuss how scores can be used instructionally
Norm-referenced tests help students, parents, and educators understand how the performance of Georgia students compares to students nationally. Test results are used to develop instructional activities and to evaluate educational programs with the goals of helping students succeed in school.
A video, Norm-Referenced Testing in Georgia with the Stanford 9, will be aired on PeachStar in December as a means to share information.
The goals of the video are to:
* Increase understanding of the Georgia norm-Referenced Testing program
* Define what a norm-referenced test is and how it is constructed
* Provide an overview of the Stanford 9
* Define and discuss how scores can be used instructionally
Wednesday, November 7, 2001
Clifford Fosters School-Readiness and Character Development
Everyday, GPB shares the Clifford the Big Red Dog Series with pre-school aged children in Georgia as part of the PBS Ready To Learn Program. Clifford imparts not only entertainment, but also important social and academic knowledge in the form of Clifford's Big Ideas and the integration of specific subject area skills.
Clifford, as a Ready To Learn program, offers children a foundation of academic knowledge. Ready To Learn, in conjunction with the United States Department of Education, has identified nine subject areas to guide child development in preparation for school-readiness. These areas include: social and emotional skills; critical thinking and problem solving skills; language and literacy skills; physical and motor skills; cognitive skills; science and discovery skills; life skills; understanding and appreciating diversity; and music and art appreciation and performance skills. Each of these skill areas carries with it specific goals developed by the National Educational Goals Panel's Technical Planning Subgroup on School-Readiness. Every episode of Cliffordaddresses one of these educational goals. For example, the goals associated with cognitive skills include classifying objects, recognizing similarities and differences, and understanding spatial relationships.
In addition to its academic instruction, Clifford also offers character education. Every episode of Clifford presents one of Clifford's Big Ideas, a set of ten positive character traits, through the vehicle of storytelling. Additionally, each episode concludes with a one-minute spot where Clifford and his friends reinforce one of the following Big Ideas:
* Be a Good Friend
* Be Kind
* Be Truthful
* Be Responsible
* Believe in Yourself
* Have Respect
* Help Others
* Play Fair
* Share
* Work Together
Children who watch Clifford learn about the social and emotional challenges they must face as they grow up. Clifford and his friends offer a model of these ten character traits children need in order to master those challenges. Each of these ten Big Ideas incorporates important developmental issues such as communication, conflict resolution, consequence, appreciation of diversity, self-confidence, teamwork, and cooperation.
Use Clifford the Big Red Dog in your classroom and visit the www.pbskids.org website for activities that you and your students can do together.
Clifford, as a Ready To Learn program, offers children a foundation of academic knowledge. Ready To Learn, in conjunction with the United States Department of Education, has identified nine subject areas to guide child development in preparation for school-readiness. These areas include: social and emotional skills; critical thinking and problem solving skills; language and literacy skills; physical and motor skills; cognitive skills; science and discovery skills; life skills; understanding and appreciating diversity; and music and art appreciation and performance skills. Each of these skill areas carries with it specific goals developed by the National Educational Goals Panel's Technical Planning Subgroup on School-Readiness. Every episode of Cliffordaddresses one of these educational goals. For example, the goals associated with cognitive skills include classifying objects, recognizing similarities and differences, and understanding spatial relationships.
In addition to its academic instruction, Clifford also offers character education. Every episode of Clifford presents one of Clifford's Big Ideas, a set of ten positive character traits, through the vehicle of storytelling. Additionally, each episode concludes with a one-minute spot where Clifford and his friends reinforce one of the following Big Ideas:
* Be a Good Friend
* Be Kind
* Be Truthful
* Be Responsible
* Believe in Yourself
* Have Respect
* Help Others
* Play Fair
* Share
* Work Together
Children who watch Clifford learn about the social and emotional challenges they must face as they grow up. Clifford and his friends offer a model of these ten character traits children need in order to master those challenges. Each of these ten Big Ideas incorporates important developmental issues such as communication, conflict resolution, consequence, appreciation of diversity, self-confidence, teamwork, and cooperation.
Use Clifford the Big Red Dog in your classroom and visit the www.pbskids.org website for activities that you and your students can do together.
TeacherSource: Resources at Your Fingertips
Everyone knows that PBS produces and broadcasts fine educational programming. Few, though, know about the great teacher resource available in the form of the PBS website. In addition to program information, pbskids, and Adult Learning Service resources, the PBS website offers TeacherSource, a site devoted entirely to the needs of educators.
TeacherSource offers lesson plans, online games, experiments, teaching strategies, primary sources, video archives, and photographs to address the needs of the following subject areas:
* Arts and Literature
* Health and Fitness
* Math
* Science and Technology
* Social Studies
* Early Childhood
Additionally, the website offers downloadable PDF files of student activities and answers. You can search the lesson plans by grade level and subject area; best of all, these lesson plans meet general and specific classroom needs even without the video components offered by PBS programming. Visit www.pbs.org today to find out more about what TeacherSource has to offer your classroom.
TeacherSource offers lesson plans, online games, experiments, teaching strategies, primary sources, video archives, and photographs to address the needs of the following subject areas:
* Arts and Literature
* Health and Fitness
* Math
* Science and Technology
* Social Studies
* Early Childhood
Additionally, the website offers downloadable PDF files of student activities and answers. You can search the lesson plans by grade level and subject area; best of all, these lesson plans meet general and specific classroom needs even without the video components offered by PBS programming. Visit www.pbs.org today to find out more about what TeacherSource has to offer your classroom.
Friday, November 2, 2001
Playing It Safe: The Code of Ethics for Educators
PeachStar Education Services and the Professional Standards Commission (PSC) are partnering to develop an instructional video about the Georgia Code of Ethics for Educators. The video, set to begin production in Fall 2001, will feature a brief statement from Dr. F.D. Toth, the Executive Secretary of the PSC, regarding professionalism as educators; an introduction to the Code; the history of the Code?s creation; an explanation of the ten standards that constitute the Code; and look at several key problem areas.
According to the Professional Practices Section of the Georgia Code of Ethics for Educators, the code "protects the health, safety and general welfare of students and educators, ensures the citizens of Georgia a degree of accountability within the education profession, and defines unethical conduct justifying disciplinary sanction." As mentioned above, the Code of Ethics centers around ten standards designed to ensure ethically appropriate behavior:
* Criminal Acts - An educator should aide by federal, state, and local laws and statues.
* Abuse of Students - An educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both inside and outside the classroom.
* Alcohol or Drugs - An educator should refrain from the use of alcohol or illegal or unauthorized drugs during the course of professional practice.
* Misrepresentation or Falsification - An educator should exemplify honesty and integrity in the course of professional practice.
* Public Funds and Property - An educator entrusted with public funds and property should honor that trust with a high level of honesty, accuracy, and responsibility.
* Improper Remunerative Conduct - An educator should maintain integrity with students, colleagues, parents, patrons, or businesses when accepting gifts, gratuities, favors, and additional compensation.
* Confidential Information - An educator should comply with the state and federal laws and local school policies relating to the confidentiality of student records, unless disclosure is required or permitted by law.
* Abandonment of Contract - An educator should fulfill all of the terms and obligations detailed in the contract with the local board of education or education agency for the duration of the contract.
* Failure to Make a Required Report- An educator should file reports of a breach of one or more of the standards in the Code of Ethics, child abuse, or any other required report.
* Professional Conduct- An educator should demonstrate conduct that follows generally recognized professional standards.
Each of these standards carries with it a detailed proscription for unethical conduct that may be found in the complete text of the Georgia Code of Ethics for Educators located at the Georgia PSC's website.
PeachStar and PSC feel that working with Georgia educators to come to a better understanding of their ethical obligations both inside and outside of the classroom will help to ensure students a safer, more secure environment in which to learn.
According to the Professional Practices Section of the Georgia Code of Ethics for Educators, the code "protects the health, safety and general welfare of students and educators, ensures the citizens of Georgia a degree of accountability within the education profession, and defines unethical conduct justifying disciplinary sanction." As mentioned above, the Code of Ethics centers around ten standards designed to ensure ethically appropriate behavior:
* Criminal Acts - An educator should aide by federal, state, and local laws and statues.
* Abuse of Students - An educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both inside and outside the classroom.
* Alcohol or Drugs - An educator should refrain from the use of alcohol or illegal or unauthorized drugs during the course of professional practice.
* Misrepresentation or Falsification - An educator should exemplify honesty and integrity in the course of professional practice.
* Public Funds and Property - An educator entrusted with public funds and property should honor that trust with a high level of honesty, accuracy, and responsibility.
* Improper Remunerative Conduct - An educator should maintain integrity with students, colleagues, parents, patrons, or businesses when accepting gifts, gratuities, favors, and additional compensation.
* Confidential Information - An educator should comply with the state and federal laws and local school policies relating to the confidentiality of student records, unless disclosure is required or permitted by law.
* Abandonment of Contract - An educator should fulfill all of the terms and obligations detailed in the contract with the local board of education or education agency for the duration of the contract.
* Failure to Make a Required Report- An educator should file reports of a breach of one or more of the standards in the Code of Ethics, child abuse, or any other required report.
* Professional Conduct- An educator should demonstrate conduct that follows generally recognized professional standards.
Each of these standards carries with it a detailed proscription for unethical conduct that may be found in the complete text of the Georgia Code of Ethics for Educators located at the Georgia PSC's website.
PeachStar and PSC feel that working with Georgia educators to come to a better understanding of their ethical obligations both inside and outside of the classroom will help to ensure students a safer, more secure environment in which to learn.
Thursday, November 1, 2001
Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Educators:
As we approach the Thanksgiving season, I want to take a moment to urge each of you to spend some time with your students sharing and giving thanks. Thanksgiving 2001, in the wake of the tragic events that befell our great nation in September, is an especially important opportunity for all Americans to reevaluate our lives and rediscover the joy of living. Over the last two months, Americans have put aside our differences and come together in a great show of solidarity and support for the victims and their families. One of the many things I am thankful for this year is our ability as Americans to bravely face adversity and unite under a common will to live free.
One of the most important and difficult tasks you face as educators is the responsibility of helping your students to cope with the ups and downs of living in a world where every moment holds the possibility of breaking news. Your ability to transform adversity into an opportunity for learning and growth is what will make you stand out in the eyes of your students during this difficult period of recovery. You may want to consider the theme packet on Patriotism PeachStar will be airing for use in your classroom to help address this difficult topic; see notice on page X for details.
All of us here at Georgia Public Broadcasting hope that you will make the most of the upcoming holiday season by infusing your classroom with the spirit of Thanksgiving and encouraging your students to appreciate all of the gifts that life has to offer.
Warm regards,
James M. Lyle,
Executive Director
As we approach the Thanksgiving season, I want to take a moment to urge each of you to spend some time with your students sharing and giving thanks. Thanksgiving 2001, in the wake of the tragic events that befell our great nation in September, is an especially important opportunity for all Americans to reevaluate our lives and rediscover the joy of living. Over the last two months, Americans have put aside our differences and come together in a great show of solidarity and support for the victims and their families. One of the many things I am thankful for this year is our ability as Americans to bravely face adversity and unite under a common will to live free.
One of the most important and difficult tasks you face as educators is the responsibility of helping your students to cope with the ups and downs of living in a world where every moment holds the possibility of breaking news. Your ability to transform adversity into an opportunity for learning and growth is what will make you stand out in the eyes of your students during this difficult period of recovery. You may want to consider the theme packet on Patriotism PeachStar will be airing for use in your classroom to help address this difficult topic; see notice on page X for details.
All of us here at Georgia Public Broadcasting hope that you will make the most of the upcoming holiday season by infusing your classroom with the spirit of Thanksgiving and encouraging your students to appreciate all of the gifts that life has to offer.
Warm regards,
James M. Lyle,
Executive Director
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