Rockdale County Public Schools has announced its closure for all year-round staff starting today and through Friday, October 4, due to the environmental emergency caused by the BioLab fire on Sunday, September 29, 2024. This announcement comes after a chemical fire broke out at BioLab in Conyers, causing 90,000 + residents in much of the […]
Author Archives: Zelda Andrews
We used to teach now we write full-time about all things education in Atlanta.
Posted inUncategorized
Several metro area school districts close early due to Hurricane Helene
Due to the potential for significant flooding and Georgia being in the path of Hurricane Helene, several school districts have adjusted their plans for classes, athletic events, and after-school activities. Hurricane Helene has intensified into a Category 1 storm with winds reaching 80 mph as of Wednesday morning. The storm is expected to move through […]
Posted inBarrow County
Father of Alleged Barrow County shooter arrested and charged with murder, involuntary manslaughter, and cruelty to children
Tonight, the father of Colt Gray, Colin Gray, the suspect in the Apalachee High School mass shooting, was arrested and charged with murder, involuntary manslaughter, and cruelty to children. In coordination with District Attorney Brad Smith, the GBI has arrested Colin Gray, age 54, in connection to the shooting at Apalachee High School. Colin is […]
Posted inUncategorized
Shooter identified; 2 students and 2 teachers dead at shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County
Education in Atlanta has confirmed that a shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County on Wednesday morning resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals and sent nine others to the hospital. The deceased include two students and two teachers. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has identified the shooter as 14-year-old Cold […]
Posted inCobb County Schools
A Timeline of Cobb County’s canceled multi-purpose facility plans
In March of last year, the Cobb County Board of Education approved a proposal from Superintendent Chris Ragsdale to build a $50 million multi-purpose facility. During the work session where the board approved the proposal, Ragsdale said the facility would mostly be used for academic purpouses. Still, he later cited graduations as “the most important […]
Posted inUncategorized
State Superintendent clarifies implementation, adds AP African American Studies to course catalog
Georgia’s state school superintendent has reversed his course and announced that Advanced Placement courses, including the AP African American Studies course, will be exempt from the state’s divisive concepts law. State School Superintendent Richard Woods said Wednesday that AP, International Baccalaureate, and dual enrollment courses will not be restricted by O.C.G.A. § 20-1-11, which prohibits […]
Posted inMorehouse College
Morehouse College Receives Historic $20 Million Gift for Faculty Expansion
Morehouse College, the nation’s only liberal arts institution dedicated to educating Black men, has received a $20 million anonymous donation to bolster its academic programs and faculty roster. The gift, announced Aug. 6, marks the largest contribution ever designated for faculty positions at the college. The funds will establish six endowed professorships across various academic […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools Welcomes New Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson
Atlanta Public Schools welcomed its new superintendent, Dr. Bryan Johnson this morning, as he was sworn in to serve as the district’s 3rd superintendent in 11 years. Johnson’s arrival coincides with the start of the 2024-2025 school year, as 50,000 students return to classrooms across the city on Aug. 1 . “The Atlanta Board of […]
Posted inGeorgia Department of Education
Governor Kemp questions decision to reject AP African American History Course
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 […]
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 inAtlanta Public Schools
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 […]