Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp is questioning State Superintendent Richard Woods’ decision not to approve AP African American History for the 2024-2025 school year. In an open letter dated today, Kemp acknowledges that his office doesn’t have a role in the decision. However, he says his office has fielded calls from stakeholders seeking information about […]
Author Archives: Zelda Andrews
We used to teach now we write full-time about all things education in Atlanta.
Posted inGeorgia Department of Education
State Superintendent Richard Woods does not approve course focused on African American history
In a unilateral move, State School Superintendent Richard Woods decided not to recommend adding Advanced Placement African American History to the state catalog for the 2024-2025 school year. Richard Woods, Georgia School Superintendent This change comes after the state approved several school districts to offer a pilot in the 2023-2024 school year, and students were […]
Posted inUncategorized
Henry County Board of Education names Dr. John Pace as sole finalist for superintendent
The Henry County Board of Education has unanimously selected Dr. John Pace III as the sole finalist to serve as the district’s next superintendent. Dr. John Pace, III The board announced its decision at a special called meeting on July 22, setting in motion a 14-day waiting period required by Georgia law before they can […]
Posted inGeorgia High School Sports
GHSA Board approves NIL amendment, addresses key issues
The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Board of Trustees has unanimously approved an amendment to its Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy, aiming to clarify guidelines and protect student-athlete eligibility. The decision came during a board meeting on July 18 at the GHSA office in Thomaston, Georgia, where 14 trustees and two legislative guests convened […]
Posted inMarietta City Schools
Marietta City Schools approves initiative to curb smart devices
In a unanimous 7-0 vote, the Marietta City School Board approves a new initiative to curb the use of personal smart devices during the school day at Marietta Sixth Grade Academy (MSGA) and Marietta Middle School (MMS). The move, which follows input from parents, students, and staff, is backed by national research highlighting the detrimental […]
Posted inUncategorized
Midtown High School to ban personal electronic devices for the 2024-2025 school year
Midtown High School is implementing a new policy for the 2024-25 school year that will make the campus free of personal electronic devices (PEDs) from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The decision comes after the school’s teaching staff reported that policing cell phone use and competing with cell phones for student attention was their biggest […]
Posted inUncategorized
Dr. Bryan Johnson named as sole finalist for superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools
The Atlanta Board of Education (ABOE) announces Dr. Bryan Johnson as the sole finalist for the position of Superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools. Dr. Johnson currently serves as the Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Strategy Officer at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Previously, he served as Chief Transformation Officer for U.S. Xpress Enterprises and […]
Posted inDecatur City Schools
The City Schools of Decatur Board of Education to refinance outstanding debt
DECATUR, Ga. – The City Schools of Decatur Board of Education approved a resolution to refund the 2014 certificate of participation during their regular meeting on June 13, 2023. The resolution authorizes the superintendent to engage financial professionals to prepare for the potential refinancing of outstanding debt, which could save the district approximately $600,000 to […]
Posted inUncategorized
Gwinnett County School Superintendent staying with the district despite reports
One day after reports named Dr. Calvin J. Watts as 1 of 3 final candidates for the superintendent role in Atlanta Public Schools, Watts reassured the community he was staying in Gwinnett County Schools. The letter came after news broke last night that Watts was one of the final three candidates for the Atlanta Public […]
Posted inUncategorized
Three names emerge as finalists for Atlanta Board of Education superintendent role
The Atlanta Board of Education is closer to finding a superintendent to lead the district. Yesterday, three candidates were presented to a community panel that provided feedback and insight on the final candidates to the board. The process, which Hazard, Young, Attea, and Associates (HYA) manages, has been notoriously secret. However, due to sources close […]
Posted inUncategorized
Clark Atlanta University to offer music education after 19 years
In a press release released this week, Clark Atlanta University (CAU) announced the relaunch of its Music Education major—nineteen years after the initial hiatus. The major will offer a curriculum that combines theory and practice while honoring the department’s thirty-year legacy. The revival of this major will focus on equipping students with the knowledge, skills, […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Board of Education denies Tapestry Charter School petition for second time
In a 7-2 vote tonight at the regularly scheduled meeting, the Atlanta Board of Education denied the petition for Tapestry Public Charter School, Inc. (TPCSA). This is the second denial of a petition for this start-up charter when, in September 2023, the Atlanta BOE unanimously denied the first petition. In March 2024, a petition was […]
Posted inUncategorized
Hiring: General Reporter Role
ABOUT THE ROLE Education in Atlanta is seeking (2) general assignments reporter roles (part-time) who have range and can follow the beat to all things happening around the metro area that directly (and indirectly) impact education. This job is great for someone who likes to dig beyond the headlines, seeking documents and data to evaluate […]
Posted inMarietta City Schools
Marietta City Schools contemplates cellphone ban in middle grades
This month, at the regularly scheduled board meeting, Marietta City Schools Superintendent Dr. Grant Rivera presented a plan for a phone locking system for students in grades 6-8. The detailed plan, which has not been circulated with the community focused on students, will store both their phones and smartwatches in a locked magnetic bag. Students […]
Posted inGeorgia News
Metro Atlanta school board races result in runoffs and newcomers
The May 21 Primary Election was ripe for school boards across the metro area, with newcomers clinching seats, several runoffs in different races, and several incumbents who ran unopposed. Cobb County Schools (Partisan) Candidates running for school board seats in Cobb County are running under new, highly contested maps passed by the Georgia legislature. Since […]
Posted inUncategorized
Complaints filed against Cobb County School District
Yesterday, the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) filed two complaints with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), urging an investigation into Cobb County School District and Florida’s Collier County Public School District for creating a hostile environment for students through practices that include censoring books and learning materials that feature, tell […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools votes to abolish district and school-level positions
At a regularly scheduled board meeting last week, the Atlanta Board of Education voted unanimously to abolish several hundred district-level and school-based positions to align district priorities better. Presented by Chief Human Resource Officer Nicole Lawson, the abolishment resulted from unfunded pension and healthcare, fluctuations in student enrollment, funding new initiatives with fidelity, and realignment […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Board of Education renames B.E.S.T. Academy in honor of Atlanta business icon Thomas W. Dortch, Jr.
The Atlanta Board of Education voted unanimously to rename B.E.S.T. Academy, in honor of the late Atlanta business leader Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., to B.E.S.T. Academy at The Thomas W. Dortch Jr. Institute. This vote came after waiving the first read for the Board to vote on the motion on Tuesday. The renaming came after […]
Posted inCobb County Schools
Cobb County Schools, Laura Judge, Candidate for Post 5 Seat
On May 21, during the General Primary elections, voters in the metro Atlanta area will choose representation for various elected seats, including school board seats. As is customary for us as an independent news organization, we have approached every candidate who qualified to run with a series of questions for them to answer for the […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools Superintendent contract extended for two years
Following an executive session at their board retreat today, the Dekalb County Board of Education unanimously approved a two-year extension for Superintendent Dr. Devon Q. Horton. The board retreat themed, “Standing on Business”, focused on student assignment, ESPLOST, Budget, Human Resources and an orientation for new BOE representatives. During the retreat, Mr. DaCosta noted that […]
Posted inUncategorized
Cobb County Schools bans four additional books citing lewd, vulgar, and sexually explicit content
At a board meeting Thursday, Cobb County Schools Superintendent Chris Ragsdale pulled an additional 4 library books citing materials containing “lewd, vulgar, and sexually explicit content”, nor will your taxes be used to fund it”. The additional books taken off the shelves as of Thursday in Cobb County Schools are “13 Reasons Why” by Jay […]
Posted inGeorgia News
Board of Regents to increase tuition rates at 25 public colleges and universities
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) voted today to approve tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year at USG’s 26 public colleges and universities. In-state undergraduate tuition will increase by 2.5%, while out-of-state tuition will increase by 5%. A third level of tuition for out-of-country students will also be established […]
Posted inUncategorized
Dalton Public Schools selects new superintendent
Dalton Public Schools unanimously voted to name Dr. Steve Craft the sole finalist for their next superintendent. “Today, we are excited to unanimously name Dr. Steven Craft as the sole finalist to be the next Superintendent of Dalton Public Schools. Early in this transition process, our Board decided to look internally for the next Superintendent. […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
New dashboard highlights reading readiness across the state
Starting today, it will be easier for educators, communities, and stakeholders to access literacy data at the state, district, and school levels. Through the Reading Readiness Dashboard, Georgians can access information on the percentage of students reading below, on, and above grade level for every school, district, and Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) region in […]