Atlanta Board of Education announced today that they will extend the search for the next leader of Atlanta Public Schools. In the press release, the district stressed the need to “take steps to maintain the integrity of the search process” and continue to work closely with their recruitment partner of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates […]
Author Archives: Zelda Andrews
We used to teach now we write full-time about all things education in Atlanta.
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Board of Education considers change to dress code policy and equity advisory committee
In a board policy review committee meeting last week, the Atlanta Board of Education suggested several policy changes centered on the community equity advisory committee and the student dress code. The first agenda item was focused on the Community Equity Advisory Committee and the language around the possible removal of members in the policy. Established in […]
Posted inUncategorized
Forsyth County names new superintendent
In a unanimous vote, Forsyth County Board of Education has announced hiring a new superintendent after months of searching. Effective July 1, 2024, Mr. James Mitchell “Mitch” Young will become Forsyth’s 22nd Superintendent and the 6th appointed to the position. “Mr. Young strongly possesses the qualities, characteristics, and skills we were seeking,” shared Board Chairperson […]
Posted inUncategorized
A new program in Georgia aims to introduce students to car and road safety
A new program in the state is focused on educating Georgia students about road safety. This free partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) and We Are Teachers will launch the free K-12 Car and Road Safety Program, which will discuss the importance of road safety whether passengers are in a car, riding […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools extends spring break for one day for solar eclipse, some parents are not happy
If you are a student in Dekalb County Schools your spring break was just extended for one day to enjoy the solar eclipse happening in April but some families are not happy. In a communication with families yesterday, Dekalb County Schools announced that on April 8, students will have an independent learner day to witness […]
Posted inNews Brief
Atlanta Girls’ School to close at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year
In a communication to parents today, the Atlanta Girls’ School announced that it will close its doors at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. The communication sent to parents cited “declining re-enrollment numbers”, “economic challenges,” and the “diminishing need for single-gender education” as reasons for the school’s closing. “Despite exploring various options, implementing cost-cutting […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Candidates who qualified to run for metro Atlanta school board races
Several candidates have qualified to run for their county school board seats in the upcoming May 21 general primary. Notably, several long-term board members have elected not to seek reelection, including Katha Stuart from Fulton County, Dr. Mary Kay Murphy from Gwinnett County Schools, David Banks from Cobb County Schools, Vickie B. Turner, Dr. Joyce […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools announces community panel to vet finalists for superintendent vacancy
In a special called meeting today, the Atlanta Board of Education announced the names of the community panel who will help choose the next superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools. This panel, first introduced at the Feb. 26 meeting, is comprised of PTA members, parents, teachers, staff, community leaders, alumni, business leaders, clergy, and more. The […]
Posted inGeorgia News
Cosmetic Chemistry is the latest major offering at Spelman College
Starting this fall, Spelman College will offer a concentration in cosmetic chemistry for students majoring in Chemistry, the first of its kind at a Historically Black College University (HBCU). As an extension of their STEM programming, students will be able to take advantage of this offering this fall. The cosmetic science curriculum was launched as […]
Posted inCherokee County Schools
Georgia Charter School Commission votes to close charters in Fulton and Cherokee County
The State Charter School Commission (SCSC) of Georgia voted yesterday to non-renew the charters of both Fulton Leadership Academy and Cherokee Charter Academy. The vote was 4-1 to close Cherokee Charter Academy in Canton, Georgia, and 4-2 to close Fulton Leadership Academy located in East Point, Georgia. This vote comes after months of questions from […]
Posted inClayton County Schools
Clayton County Public Schools announces random searches as part of safety protocols
In a statement last week to all parents, Clayton County schools will implement a new initiative to keep students on their 67 learning campuses safe. As part of this initiative, the CCPS Division of Safety and Security will immediately commence random searches at various locations within the district. Notably, these searches may involve K-9 units […]
Posted inHenry County Schools
Henry County Schools names Dr. Carl Knowlton as the interim superintendent
In a special called meeting last week, the Henry County Board of Education unanimously appointed Dr. Carl Knowlton as Interim Superintendent, effective March 7. “I am honored to be called upon to provide consistency, stability, and a seamless transition as our Board of Education undertakes the process of selecting a long-term leader,” said Dr. Knowlton. […]
Posted inUncategorized
AUC colleges awarded $14 million grant for research
On Wednesday, Spelman College, in collaboration with Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Clark Atlanta University, was awarded a $14 million competitive grant aimed at transforming research support access. Growing Research Access for Nationally Transformative Equity and Diversity (GRANTED) initiative will support the schools in the Atlanta University Center and aims to expand the […]
Posted inGeorgia Department of Education
Georgia to deploy 60 full-time literacy coaches in elementary schools statewide
In a move aimed at enhancing literacy outcomes in elementary schools across Georgia, the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) has announced plans to place 60 full-time literacy coaches in elementary schools throughout the state. The initiative, unveiled today by State School Superintendent Richard Woods, targets the lowest-performing 5 percent of schools to bolster literacy education […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Four students shot at southwest Atlanta high school
Today at 4:15 p.m., four students were shot at Mays High School, according to a spokesperson with the district. They were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. According to the statement from the district, the shots came from an “unknown vehicle” at the lower campus parking lot. All after-school activities have been cancelled, and […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Brown advances to final round of interviews for Memphis Shelby County superintendent job
Since being named as a finalist for the top job in Memphis Shelby County Schools, Dr. Yolanda C. Brown has been through the final steps of the process- the finalist interviews that took place on Friday, February 2. “Transparency has been at the heart of this search for the District’s next great leader,” said […]
Posted inGeorgia House
HB 941 Could Help Encourage More Pre-K Classes in Georgia
In a move towards enhancing early education, the Georgia House Subcommittee on Education Policy voted today to advance House Bill 941 (HB 941). This bill, sponsored by House Education Committee Chairman Chris Erwin and House Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones, aims to expand the scope of capital outlay funds to include support for pre-kindergarten programs […]
Posted inCherokee County Schools
Henry County Schools Superintendent named sole finalist for Cherokee job
At a called meeting Wednesday night, the Cherokee County School board voted 4-3 to name Dr. Mary Elizabeth Davis as the sole finalist for superintendent. Davis has been the superintendent of Henry County School since Nov. 2017 and before that was the chief academic officer in Cobb County Schools and the assistant superintendent of teaching […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Georgia State partners with four metro area school districts to retain educators
In response to the ongoing teacher shortage in Georgia, Georgia State University’s College of Education & Human Development (CEHD) has joined forces with four school districts in the state. The initiative, known as the Pathways to Teacher Credentialing Project, aims to alleviate the teacher shortage by preparing and retaining educators in the critical areas in […]
Posted inDecatur City Schools
Students in Decatur City Schools owe $88,000 in unpaid lunch fees
Starting on Feb. 2, students in Decatur City Schools who carry negative balances for unpaid meal charges will be served cheese sandwiches and milk instead of the scheduled meal. According to a school nutrition webinar hosted by Decatur City Schools, the balance of unpaid meal balances in the district is roughly $88,000. The outstanding negative […]
Posted inUncategorized
Spelman College Receives Historic $100 Million Gift – Largest Ever to an HBCU
Spelman College, one of the leading educational institutions for Black women in STEM, announced a historic milestone with a $100 million gift – the largest single donation ever made to a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). The generous contribution comes from businesswoman and philanthropist Ronda Stryker and her husband, William Johnston, Chairman of Greenleaf […]
Posted inHBCU
UNCF’s $1 Billion campaign boosted by $100 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
In a move to bolster historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) unveiled a monumental $1 billion capital campaign during a press conference held at Clark Atlanta University yesterday. The catalyst for this initiative is a $100 million unrestricted grant awarded by Lilly Endowment Inc. Dr. Michael L. Lomax, President […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Board of Education swears in 2 new members
Today, the Atlanta Board of Education swore in two new board members, Alfred “Shivy” Brooks and Dr. Kenneth Zeff, who will represent District 7 at-large seat and District 3. Alfred “Shivy” Brooks is the first active teacher elected in 150 years and currently works as a high school economics, personal finance, and government teacher in […]
Posted inUncategorized
Dekalb School Board to consider additional budget adjustment for employee bonuses
At next week’s regularly scheduled meeting, the Dekalb County School Board is set to discuss and approve a general fund budget adjustment earmarked for employee bonuses. This budget adjustment comes after Governor Brian Kemp announced on December 18 a $1,000 retention bonus for state employees, teachers, and support staff. Dekalb County Schools received $9,930,774 from […]