Back-to-School 2025: GCPS will maintain focus on the Whole Learner during the 2025-26 school year

     Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) will begin implementing Georgia’s new K–12 Language Arts standards during the 2025-26 school year. Grounded in the Science of Reading, these state-adopted standards emphasize multimodality, meaningful interactions with complex texts, and explicit instruction in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. GCPS reflects these standards in the district’s updated Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS).

     To ensure a strong start, teachers and leaders participated in comprehensive training during the 2024-25 school year to build a strong foundation in the new standards and prepare for effective instruction. GCPS recognizes and appreciates the efforts of its language arts teachers for completing state-mandated training and participating in ongoing professional learning to support this critical transition. Through summer institutes and school-based sessions held throughout the year, GCPS educators are prepared to deliver high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction that addresses the needs of all learners. This year, professional learning will continue to focus on deepening teachers’ understanding of the new AKS standards and strengthening implementation across classrooms.

     The district’s board-adopted instructional resources continue to support this transition, aligning closely with the updated AKS and enabling teachers to plan engaging standards-based lessons. GCPS remains committed to building strong readers, writers, and thinkers by delivering rigorous, evidence-based literacy instruction.

K-12 New Language Arts Academic Knowledge and Skills

     This school year marks an exciting shift as we begin implementing Georgia’s new K–12 Language Arts standards. Grounded in the Science of Reading, these state-adopted standards emphasize multimodality, meaningful interactions with complex texts, and explicit instruction in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. In Gwinnett, these standards are reflected in our updated AKS.

     To ensure a strong start, our teachers and leaders participated in comprehensive training last school year to build a strong foundation in the new standards and prepare for effective instruction. We are especially grateful to our language arts teachers, who worked diligently to complete the state-mandated training and engage in ongoing professional learning to support this important transition. From summer institutes to school-based sessions throughout the year, our educators are well equipped to deliver high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction that meets the needs of all learners. This year, professional learning will continue to deepen teachers’ understanding of the new AKS and strengthen implementation across classrooms.

     Our board-adopted instructional resources continue to support this transition and align with the updated AKS, allowing teachers to plan engaging, standards-based lessons. We are excited about the new school year ahead and remain committed to building strong readers, writers, and thinkers through high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction.

Elements of Instruction for Students Who Receive Special Education Services

     GCPS is committed to ensuring equitable outcomes for students with disabilities by implementing Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) grounded in High-Leverage Practices (HLPs). These evidence-based strategies enhance the effectiveness of individualized supports for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). When applied consistently, HLPs strengthen SDI, help students access the general curriculum meaningfully, build essential skills, and achieve success across all academic settings. The Department of Special Education and Psychological Services will support leaders and teachers in providing students with effective, research-based instruction that incorporates HLPs and SDI. Through ongoing professional learning at the district and school level, leaders and teachers will build foundational knowledge and a shared understanding of instructional elements that support students with IEPs.  

GCPS accepting applications for GEMS Oversight Committee

     GCPS is inviting parents and guardians, community members, and school district employees to apply for the GEMS Oversight Committee, a group of community and school system representatives charged with the annual review of the AKS curriculum standards. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 28, 2025. After the review, the committee recommends revisions and additions to the Superintendent for adoption by the Gwinnett County Board of Education. Committee members serve three-year terms. Those interested in serving should complete the online application no later than Aug. 8.

Play2Learn

     GCPS supports early learning and school readiness through a comprehensive suite of early learning programs for children birth through age five. Programs like Play2Learn engage families in building strong literacy foundations at school and at home, while Little Learner’s Academy extends learning into the community to enrich vocabulary and build background knowledge. The Play2Learn On the Go mobile classroom brings these experiences directly to neighborhoods in Gwinnett ensuring access for even more families. Joyful Learning, beginning in kindergarten classrooms, promotes purposeful play during morning arrival, fostering language, collaboration, and problem-solving. The GCPS Pre-K program further strengthens school readiness through a curriculum that blends play, technology, and high-quality instruction focused on literacy development.

 

Gwinnett County Public Schools Birth to 5th Grade Science Fair

     The K-5 Science Office and the Department of Early Learning and School Readiness are continuing their expansion of the Birth to 5th grade Science Fair by expanding classroom science fair projects in all Play 2 Learn and Pre-K classrooms. For more information about the Birth to 5th Grade Science Fair and the 47th Annual Regional Gwinnett Science, Engineering + Innovation Fair, visit the Gwinnett Science Fair website. Contact your local school for details about classroom science fair projects and the school science fair.