CAPITOL OFFICE STANDING COMMITTEES

18 CAPITOL SQUARE SW HUMAN RELATIONS & AGING

COVERDELL OFFICE BUILDING MOTOR VEHICLES
SUITE 612 STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30334 AFFAIRS
(404) 656-0325
COLTON C. MOORE
REPRESENTATIVE • DISTRICT 1

MEMORANDUM

TO: Georgia Educators, Administrators and School Resource Officers

FROM: Representative Colton Moore

CC: Mr. Richard Woods, Georgia Department of Education, State School Superintendent
Mr. Larry Winter, Georgia Department of Education, Fourteenth Congressional District
Mr. Bill West, National Association of School Resource Officers, President
Ms. JoAnn Bartoletti, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Executive Director
Mr. Mark Simons, Georgia Association of Educators, Executive Director
Mr. Craig Harper, Professional Association of Georgia Educators, Executive Director
Dr. Jimmy Stokes, Georgia Association of Educational Leaders, Executive Director
Rep. Rick Jasperse, Georgia House Education Committee, Chairman

DATE: February 28, 2019

SUBJECT: House Bill 179, Standing Up for Your Teacher Discipline Rights

Dear Educators of Georgia,

My name is Colton Moore, State Representative for Dade and West Walker County in
North Georgia.

Over the last eight months, I have been made aware of an ongoing issue in our
classrooms. Teachers are no longer in charge. Since discipline reports are connected
with your School’s Star Rating, it prevents teachers and administrators from promptly
and properly addressing misbehavior in the classroom. As a teacher and administrator,
your school system must be able to address misbehavior without fear of school rating
repercussions. Your frustrations are felt by teachers across the state.

Recently, we introduced House Bill 179 to eliminate discipline data from the school
climate report, allowing teachers to maintain order and a standard of excellence in their
classroom. Administrators must conduct discipline without pressure. When it comes to
addressing misbehavior, discipline is the solution, not the problem.

A statistical analysis by the Georgia Department of Education indicates that if this data
were removed, the Star Ratings of middle & high schools would not change with
significance. In contrast, when removing discipline reporting in elementary schools,
CAPITOL OFFICE STANDING COMMITTEES
18 CAPITOL SQUARE SW HUMAN RELATIONS & AGING
COVERDELL OFFICE BUILDING MOTOR VEHICLES
SUITE 612 STATE PLANNING & COMMUNITY
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30334 AFFAIRS
(404) 656-0325
COLTON C. MOORE
REPRESENTATIVE • DISTRICT 1

dramatic score changes meet the threshold of statistical significance. Therefore, we

must worry that the data shows potential under/over reporting. Given this is the only
metric in the climate score that is subjective, it serves good purpose to remove it.
House Bill 179 has gained support from leaders in the Georgia Educators Association.
This bill can be have a tremendous daily impact on thousands. Georgia cannot afford to
miss this opportunity.

In order to advance to the next step of the legislative process, we need your help. Ken
Pullin, R-131, Emory Donahoo, R-30, Steve Tarvin, R-2 are promoting this across the
State as this bill is now entering the House Education Committee.

Chairman of the House Education Committee, Chariman Jasperse indicated his need to
hear from a large number of Educators, Administrators and Officers for this issue to be
officially heard.

Please contact Chairman Jasperse’s office immediately to hear this legislation at

rick.jasperse@house.ga.gov and (404) 656-5943

To easily see more details and track the progress of House Bill 179, I have setup:
DisciplineBill.com.

For more information, please contact me or:

Nick Crawford, Legislative Coordinator
Office of Georgia House District 1 & Rep. Colton Moore
Phone: (423) 693-3320
Email: nick@coltonmoore.com

Please forward this email and have your fellow teachers contact Chairman Jasperse.
Your influence over improving Georgia classrooms is needed and greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Rep, Colton Moore