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 […]
Author Archives: Zelda Andrews
We used to teach now we write full-time about all things education in Atlanta.
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 […]
Posted inCarrollton City Schools
Carrollton High School student named Gatorade Georgia Football Player of the Year
Julian ‘Ju Ju’ Lewis, a sophomore quarterback from Carrollton High School, has been named the 2023-24 Gatorade Georgia Football Player of the Year. This award marks Lewis as the best high school football player in Georgia. He is the first recipient from Carrollton High School in the award’s history. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 175 […]
Posted inGeorgia State University
Georgia Health Policy Center announces six health opportunity pilot communities
The Georgia Health Policy Center (GHPC) at Georgia State University has revealed the names of the six communities selected as recipients of the Health Opportunity Pilot Awards. These communities, strategically located across Georgia, have been chosen for their 10-year plans to enhance access to Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being. The selected communities will benefit […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Yolanda C. Brown named as one of three finalists for Memphis superintendent job
Yolanda C. Brown has been named one of three finalists for the superintendent role in the Memphis-Shelby County School (MSCS) system in Memphis, TN. Brown, the current Chief Academic Officer in Atlanta Public Schools, was interviewed along with five other finalists on Dec. 15 in Memphis. This announcement of the three finalists comes after the […]
Posted inUncategorized
Blank Foundation grant to jumpstart hospitality program at Morris Brown College
On Monday, Morris Brown College and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation announced a 20-year, $3 million to digitize and market the school’s Hospitality Certificate program. Supported by the foundation’s Youth Development giving area, it will help Morris Brown College students outside of the metro Atlanta area who may have challenges getting to the college. […]
Posted inUncategorized
Academic Officer from Atlanta Public Schools chosen as semi-finalist for Memphis superintendent Position
Dr. Yolanda Brown, the current chief academic officer at Atlanta Public Schools, has been named a semi-finalist for the next Superintendent of Memphis- Shelby County Schools. Brown, who is a 30-year veteran of Atlanta Public Schools, has held a variety of roles. According to her bio, brown has been a classroom teacher, district-level model teacher […]
Posted inCobb County Schools
Two Metro Atlanta School Districts are under investigation by Office of Civil Rights
Two metro area school districts are under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education for reports of discrimination on their campuses, according to data updated this week by the Department of Education. Cobb County School Board and Atlanta Public Schools are named in an investigation by the Department of Education for open Title VI shared […]