Warner Robins Today

The Georgia Department of Education has allocated more than $2.4 million in grants to aid rural paraprofessionals in 75 school districts as they pursue teacher certification in high-need areas, aiming to address teacher shortages in these regions and enhance the educator pipeline. This initiative is supported by federal stimulus funds from the American Rescue Plan.

According to the Georgia Department of Education, these grants are expected to benefit more than 500 paraprofessionals and will help alleviate the financial burden of pursuing teacher certification. Eligible paraprofessionals can receive up to $6,000 to cover education-related costs. The goal of the initiative is to bolster the teaching profession in rural areas and address teacher shortages in those districts.

State School Superintendent Richard Woods said in a press release by then Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE): "The Georgia Department of Education aims to continue elevating the teaching profession, strengthening the teacher pipeline, and ensuring every Georgia student has access to excellent teachers. These grants will increase the number of qualified teachers available to fill teaching vacancies in rural Georgia school districts and encourage districts to engage in 'grow your own' programs to strengthen their educator pipeline further."

More than 500 rural Georgia paraprofessionals, enrolled in approved educator preparation programs by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) in critical high-need areas, are set to benefit from these grants. The funds will assist with the costs associated with pursuing an education degree, covering expenses such as tuition, fees, and examination fees.

The highest allocations for these grants go to Tattnall County Schools, receiving $114,000; Haralson County Schools and Jones County Schools, each receiving $90,000; and Dodge County Schools, receiving $82,500.

Teacher shortages have been a concern in the United States, with over 75% of states grappling with this issue. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the problem. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report from June 2022 found that public education lost approximately 7% of its teaching workforce, or 233,000 instructors, between 2019 and 2021. Educators have cited various challenges, including time constraints, behavior issues, and lack of administrative support.

The grants provided by the Georgia Department of Education will not only support the transition of paraprofessionals into certified teachers but also contribute to addressing the teacher shortage in rural Georgia school districts.