The Turner County School District is committed to providing a rigorous, standards-based curriculum, with the Georgia Standards of Excellence as our foundation. We integrate research-based best practices, effective instructional strategies, and high-quality resources to support teaching and learning. Our holistic approach to assessment includes regular data analysis to track student progress, inform instruction, and drive continuous improvement.

Our vision of fostering learning, innovation, accountability, and achievement—combined with our mission to educate, empower, and inspire every student—reinforces our commitment to all stakeholders. We hold high expectations for everyone involved in our students’ education, ensuring they are prepared for success in college, career, and life.

Bernard Joiner, Jr.
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
bernard.joiner@turner.k12.ga.us
229-567-3338

Darcy Rainey
Teacher Support Specialist, K-12
darcy.rainey@turner.k12.ga.us

Instructional Priorities:

• Align, maintain, and monitor curriculum, instruction, and assessments

• Raise student achievement

• Improve student growth

• Build strong student-teacher relationships

Turner County Schools utilizes high-quality, standards-aligned resources to support teaching and learning across all grade levels:

• HMH Into Reading, Into Literature, and Into Math: K–10

• Progress Learning: K-12, mutiple content areas 

• Georgia Department of Education: K-12, State Standards

• Additional Supplemental Resources: BrainPop, Flocabulary, Gallopade, Edgenuity, American Book Company, and other vetted materials to support curriculum and instruction.

These resources are carefully selected to align with the Georgia Standards of Excellence, provide equitable access to rigorous instruction, and enhance student learning experiences.

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Teaching & Learning Handbook

The Turner County Schools Teaching & Learning Handbook establishes a comprehensive framework to guide educators in delivering consistent, high-quality, and standards-aligned instruction. It serves as an operational roadmap for district expectations, detailing everything from structured daily lesson execution to collaborative teacher requirements, grading protocols, and professional development. The ultimate focus of the document is to build an accountable, data-driven, and student-centered educational culture across all classrooms.

Core Areas of Focus 

• Standardizing the Instructional Model

• Enforcing Standards-Based & Differentiated Teaching

• Regulating Classroom Management & Student Engagement

• Systematizing Assessment, Data, & Grading Protocols

• Structuring Collaboration & Planning

• Fostering Professional Growth

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Spotlight on Literacy

Turner County Schools is committed to building strong readers and writers at every grade level. Our literacy initiatives are designed to increase student engagement, improve Lexile scores, and provide equitable access to high-quality resources. Current efforts include:

• Science of Reading Implementation — Integrating evidence-based reading practices across all grade levels to strengthen foundational literacy skills.

• Early Literacy Screening (HB 307) — In accordance with Georgia’s Early Literacy Act (HB 307), students in kindergarten through third grade participate in state-approved literacy screeners three times each year to identify reading strengths, monitor progress, and provide targeted intervention support for students at risk of reading difficulties or characteristics of dyslexia. Families and educators use this data to help ensure students receive timely support and intervention services.

• Book Vending Machines — Encouraging a love of reading by allowing students to earn tokens that can be redeemed for books to build their own home libraries.

• Library Partnerships — Collaborating with the Victoria Evans Memorial Library to expand student access to books and literacy events.

• Family Engagement — Hosting family engagement nights and parent workshops to share strategies for supporting reading at home.

Through these initiatives, teachers, families, and community partners are working together to ensure every student becomes a confident, lifelong reader.

For more information about Georgia’s Early Literacy Act (HB 307), families may review the GaDOE Parent Dyslexia Information Guide: GaDOE HB 307 Literacy & Dyslexia Resource Guide

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Free Tutoring for Georgia High School Students

The Georgia Department of Education is offering free academic support for high school students:

• SAT Prep with Tutored by Teachers: Live virtual sessions in Math and Reading & Writing, with strategies, practice questions, and recordings for review. Learn more

• GaTutor: One-on-one online tutoring from certified teachers in core subjects, available evenings and weekends. Learn more

These programs provide free, flexible support to help students strengthen skills and prepare for success.

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View the timeline for submitting a Charter School Start-Up Petition here.