In a press release today to the state, State School Superintendent Richard Woods is establishing a new Office of Rural Education and Innovation at the Georgia Department of Education, providing a continued, cabinet-level voice for the needs of rural Georgia in K-12 education policy. Dr. Bronwyn Ragan-Martin, a Georgia educational leader with more than 31 […]
Author Archives: Zelda Andrews
We used to teach now we write full-time about all things education in Atlanta.
Posted inUncategorized
Prospective Board Candidates for Atlanta Public Schools Are Offered Governance Training
On Friday, July 30th prospective board candidates will be offered training on governance practice and an in-depth view of the district. On November 2, all of the nine Atlanta Public Schools Board seats are available. This training will be all day and is being offered by both the Georgia School Board Association and the Council […]
Posted inGwinnett County Schools
Gwinnett County Schools Changes Mask Guidance
In a Facebook message on late Tuesday, Gwinnett County School reverses its decision to make masks optional in the 2021-2022 school year. The message reads… In response to the latest guidance for K-12 schools issued on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Gwinnett County Public Schools has updated […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia Department of Education Partners with Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network
In a press release to the Georgia families, the Georgia Department of Education is partnering with the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network (GSAN) to administer $85 million in grants to support afterschool and summer learning in Georgia. GSAN will administer the Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time (BOOST) grant program on behalf of GaDOE, with two separate, […]
Posted inAnti Racism
Jennifer Susko, Cobb County Schools Counselor, and Black Lives Matter Activist resigns
In a riveting resignation, Cobb County Schools counselor and Black Lives Matter activist, Jennifer Susko leaves the district citing the mounting outcry around the critical race theory debate. Dear Mr. Ragsdale, et. al: It is with deep sadness that I resign from the Cobb County School District in an act of protest against the recent ban […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia approves high-school cloud computing Career Pathway
High-school students in Georgia will now have access to a Career Pathway in cloud computing, after the State Board of Education, last week approved State School Superintendent Richard Woods’ recommendation to adopt the new courses. The pathway is composed of three courses – Introduction to Software Technology, Computer Science Principles, and Cloud Computing.Cloud computing is […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools Will Require Masks
This morning, Atlanta Public Schools leadership indicated that they will continue to require masks and will implement a Universal Mask Wearing protocol in all schools and buildings starting on August 5- the first day of school for students. In making their decision the district quoted the following data: Approximately 18 percent of our eligible students […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia Department of Education Releases Reward Schools
The Georgia Department of Education has released the 2020-21 list of Reward Schools – the Title I schools making the most progress in improving student performance. This year, 157 schools in 77 school districts were identified as Reward Schools. “While we are focused on ensuring all schools have the support and resources they need to […]
Posted inGwinnett County Schools
Dr. Calvin Watts named as sole finalist for Gwinnett County Public Schools Superintendent
Last night In a 5-0 vote, the Gwinnett County School Board voted to formally announce Dr. Calvin Watts as the sole finalist for Superintendent of Georgia’s largest school district. Watts will replace Alvin Wilbanks who has spent the last 25 years at the helm. Wilbanks’s last day will be July 30, 2021- one year before […]
Posted inFulton County Schools
Fulton County Schools Named Title 1 Reward Schools
Due to the diligent work of students, staff members, school leaders, parents and community members, nine Fulton County Title I schools were recently named Title I Reward Schools by the Georgia Department of Education. The Reward Schools designation recognizes Title I schools making the greatest improvements. Reward Schools are among the greatest-improving 5% of Title I […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia State University Welcomes Dr. M. Brian Blake as President
ATLANTA — Dr. M. Brian Blake, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at George Washington University, has been named Georgia State University’s president by the University System Board of Regents. He begins his tenure Aug. 9. Blake, a computer scientist and software engineer, succeeds President Mark Becker, who led the university to unparalleled […]
Posted inCobb County Schools
Cobb County Schools Issues Update on Special Review by Cognia
The Cobb County School board has been in the news lately with claims of racism and the recent passage of the resolution banning critical race theory, there’s an update on the review of the school system’s status by Cognia, the accreditation agency. From Cobb County Schools… We know the schools in Cobb are a big […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Cherokee County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Resigns Before Starting
On March 19, Cherokee School Board approved the appointment of CCSD’s first administrator focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Cecelia Lewis, who currently serves as a Principal in Maryland and has extensive school and district leadership experience. She was scheduled to join CCSD this summer as an administrator on special assignments for student services. […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics, Uncategorized
Georgia State School Board Passes Resolution Limiting Discussion on Race
In a shocking vote of 11-2, the Georgia Board of Education passed a five-page resolution on Thursday that focused on limiting class discussions on race in classrooms across the state. This vote came in the footsteps of state leaders such as Brian Kemp and Cobb County Superintendent and parents are in deeply divided talks with […]
Posted inUncategorized
News Brief: Starting this Fall, Atlanta University Consortium Institutions Will Require COVID-19 Vaccinations
Starting at the beginning of Fall 2021, the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC) member institutions- Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, Spelman College, and AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library will require all students and members of their faculties and staff to be fully vaccinated. Citing safety and health concerns for their communities, […]
Posted inClayton County Schools
News Brief: Clayton County Schools to Offer Virtual Learning for the 2021-2022 School Year
Starting in the 2021-2022 school year, Clayton County Schools will implement a school-based virtual learning program to provide parents with the flexibility of a full-time at-home option for their children in grades 3-12. Students who are accepted will be enrolled at their zoned school; however, all of their instruction will be virtual. Students will engage […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
News Brief: Extended School Hours for Atlanta Public School Students
Starting August 5th, elementary students in Atlanta Public Schools will be in school 30 minutes longer to help students who are struggling with instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, the district’s elementary schools start at 8 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. This extended day will allow schools to target students who may have […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools Halts Upcoming Vaccination Clinic
Atlanta Public Schools has cancelled a mass vaccination event for teachers following the pause of J&J vaccine after six cases of people who developed blood clotting issues. The original event which was an effort with Walgreens, Atlanta Public Schools was scheduled to have the clinic for their staff on April 12. However after the joint […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Board of Education Votes to School to Hank Aaron New Beginnings Academy
On Monday the Atlanta Board of Education voted to change the name of Forrest Hill Academy to Hank Aaron New Beginnings Academy. Forest Hills Academy is an alternative high school located off of Cleveland Avenue and was named after Nathan Before Forrest a Confederate General who was an active member of the Ku Klux Klan. […]
Posted inGwinnett County Schools
Gwinnett School Board Approve Superintendent Search
Dr. Samuel King presents to the Gwinnett County School Board.
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia’s Waiver of Accountability Requirements Approved
The United States Department of Education (USED) on Friday approved Georgia’s waiver of accountability requirements – including having to produce a College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) summary for the state, school districts, and schools. While USED did not approve Georgia’s request to waive state assessments altogether for the 2020-21 school year, which means […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Special Needs Vouchers Approved By Georgia Lawmakers
In a stunning move on Monday, lawmakers in Georgia approved (30-18) the expansion of the state’s private school voucher program when the State Senate expanded the program for students who have a 504 plan. This new plan would apply to students who had diagnosis of ailments including cancer to dyslexia to alcohol abuse and who […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia Public Schools Will Receive $3.8 Billion Dollars in Federal Funds
Under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, public schools in Georgia will receive more than $3.8 billion in federal stimulus funds after the State Board of Education approved Superintendent Richard Woods’ recommendation to begin allocated the funds. These funds were awarded were determined by federal law and based on the share of Title I funding […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Proposed Math education standards open for a 30-day Period
The Georgia Department of Education needs the community’s feedback on the proposed the K-12 Mathematics Standards for the 2022-2024 school year. Starting today the standards are up for review for a 30-day public comment period. If approved, the standards will be implemented in the 2022-23 school year. Throughout the 2021-2022 school year, teachers will receive […]