Educational Field Experiences / Student Teaching

Student Teaching Information

Tort Liability Insurance

As a student teacher, you are now eligible for free professional liability coverage provided by the State of Georgia. Senate Bill 34 was approved by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Perdue in the 2005 legislative session and took effect July 1, 2005. Among other things, Senate Bill 34 authorized the State of Georgia to purchase a professional liability insurance policy that insures certificated personnel employed by local public school systems and student teachers teaching in public school systems against damages arising out of the performance of their duties.

If you do not already have any other liability insurance for your teaching activities, this policy will provide you with primary coverage with up to a $1 million in liability coverage. If you have other liability insurance for your teaching activities (e.g. insurance provided by local school boards); this policy will be in addition to your other policy or policies. If a claim is made against you, you should notify not only the insurer under the State of Georgia program but also any other insurer(s) you may have so that the insurers may coordinate their efforts on your behalf.

Since the State of Georgia pays for this insurance, there is no cost to certificated personnel and student teachers. You do not have to do anything to sign-up for this coverage because you are automatically covered by virtue of being certificated and employed in a public school system. You should, however, obtain a copy of the policy from the website of the Department of Administrative Services (the state agency responsible for administering the insurance program) at www.doas.georgia.gov and keep the copy of the policy for your files.

If you have any questions about the policy or the program, you may call Ms. Martha Kristin at 706.542.4185 or The Department of Administrative Services at 404-651-5935 or 404-651-5606. While the specific language of the policy will establish rights and responsibilities under the policy, the department will do its best to provide whatever information it can to assist you in understanding this new program of insurance that was created for you.

IMPORTANT!!!! This policy covers only those student teachers placed in public schools. If you are student teaching at a private school, you are NOT covered by the State of Georgia professional liability coverage.

For those students placed in PRIVATE schools: Because you are NOT covered by the state policy, you must provide evidence of having adequate tort liability insurance, or waive such coverage in writing and assume full responsibility for your own protection, prior to beginning in-school activities. (The forms are located in the display case in the hallway outside 122 Aderhold Hall.)

Tort liability insurance is available from professional organizations, as part of a homeowner policy, or from usual insurance sources. You may also obtain tort liability insurance from:

SPAGE - Student Professional Association of Georgia Educators

SGAE - Student Georgia Association of Educators

GFT - Georgia Federation of Teachers

Each policy provides $1,000,000 coverage and cost is VERY minimal.