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 […]
Author Archives: Zelda Andrews
We used to teach now we write full-time about all things education in Atlanta.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Clayton County Public Schools breaks ground on convocation center and college and career academy
Atlanta, GA — Clayton County Public Schools held a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday for the Clayton County Convocation Center & College and Career Academy which will be located at the former Sears Building site at Southlake Mall in Morrow, Georgia. The groundbreaking ceremony unveiled plans for an 8,000-seat arena and convention center that will also […]
Revised Advanced Placement African American Studies released
The Advanced Placement African American course that ignited controversy among conservative lawmakers, released its revised framework today by the College Board. Set to officially launch in the 2024-25 school year, this course aims to introduce students to the diverse history of the African-American community. Dr. Brandi Waters, senior director and program manager of African American […]
Alfred “Shivy” Brooks beats incumbent in run-off
According to unofficial election results, Alfred “Shivy” Brooks has beat incumbent Tamara Jones in the Dec.5 runoff for the Seat 7 at-large seat on the Atlanta Board of Education. This comes after neither received over 50% of the vote in the November 7 general election. Brooks, a high school economics teacher in Clayton County, is […]
Dr. Fred Williams named state superintendent of the year
ATLANTA- Dublin City Schools Superintendent, Dr. Fred Williamswas announced as the 2024 Georgia Superintendent of the Year. The announcement was made during the Georgia School Boards Association/Georgia School Superintendents Association Winter Conference. Sponsored by the Georgia School Superintendents Association, this distinguished recognition is awarded to district leaders across the state who have demonstrated an exceptional […]
Decatur City Schools prioritizes focus for 2024 legislative session
In the regularly scheduled November board meeting, the Decatur City Schools Board of Education approved their legislative priorities for the 2024 session of the Georgia General Assembly. The priorities will focus on safety, security, mental health, funding, and local authority. The DCS board submits its priorities annually, with the draft presented in the October pre-work […]
Two Georgia students selected as Rhodes Scholars
Two Georgia students are now part of an elite class- of 32 students worldwide as they were named 2024 Rhodes Scholars this week. University of Georgia student Mariah Cady and Agnes Scott student Madison Jennings will study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, joining a class from 64 countries worldwide. Mariah Cady, […]
Election 2023: Low turnout favors incumbents and run-off elections
The polls in Fulton County have closed, and while some winners, there are some board of education seats that will go into run-off elections. Here are some of the highlights from Tuesday’s races. Decatur City Schools City of Decatur teacher Tracey Anderson- won against newcomer India Phipps Epps with 52.71% of the vote for the […]