Safety Net Standards are specific standards that the district has identified.  Every teacher should ensure that every student knows the Safety Net Standards. Teams of teachers worked together to identify the Safety Net standards during several sessions, based on a thorough look at the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS)and several reviews after the initial identification process. 

As stated by Douglas Reeves, the purpose of the Safety Net standards is to empower teachers to make decisions about what is most important in the curriculum.  It is not meant to ignore everything else in the curriculum, but rather to help teachers prioritize the critical standards that all must learn within the time available. 

Ideally all of the curriculum will be covered, but in reality teachers know this may not be possible, given the varying levels of learning within a classroom. The focus of the Safety Net standards is on deep understanding, not just coverage. 

The Safety Net Standards allows every student in the district to learn what is essential.    Safety Net Standards are being finalized for Communication Arts (English/Language Arts) and Mathematics in grades K-12.

Instructional frameworks are being developed that identify the Safety Net Standards and incorporate pacing guides, key vocabulary, and other information important for teachers.  As the GPS in Science and Social Studies are phased in, Safety Net Standards will be identified for these subjects as well.