Last week the Georgia Department of Education released scores from the 2022-2023 Milestones Assessments, and there seems to be early gains in early literacy across the state. The 3rd Grade Georgia Milestones Assessment measures how well 3rd-grade students have learned knowledge and skills in the core areas of language arts and mathematics. The third grade […]
Author Archives: Zelda Andrews
We used to teach now we write full-time about all things education in Atlanta.
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Thousands of families expected at APS Back to School Bash
ATLANTA – This Saturday, Atlanta Public Schools (APS) will host up to 11,000 families for its annual Back to School Bash at the Georgia World Congress Center in Halls C1 and C2. At this annual event, families will be able to get free backpacks filled with school supplies, educational and healthcare resources, fun activities, and giveaways. […]
Posted inPost Secondary
Berry College appoints inaugural Chief Diversity and Belonging Officer
Berry College appointed Haley Morgan Smith as its inaugural Chief Diversity and Belonging Officer in June 2023. Smith came to Berry College in 2020 and served as Director of Diversity and Inclusion before her promotion in June. Smith has over a decade of experience in community organizing and reconciliation in rural contexts. This past academic […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Board of Education begins search for new superintendent
The Atlanta Board of Education has officially announced plans to begin the search for a new superintendent. This comes after the announcement this past June to replace the current Superintendent, Dr. Lisa Herring, after announcing they would not be extending her contract beyond June 2024. The high-level timeline starts in July 2023 with the Board […]
Posted inGeorgia Department of Education
State Board of Education considers change to minimum percentage requirement for End of Course Assessments
The State Board of Education meetings held on June 14th and 15th heard two rule changes that will impact students in grades K-12 this upcoming school year. The first rule was focused on waiving the promotion, placements, and retention rule for the Georgia Milestones Math Assessments for students in grades 5 and 8. The second rule […]
Posted inGeorgia News
Black students in Effingham County sue the school district for racial discrimination
ATLANTA—The ACLU of Georgia and the law firm Troutman Pepper filed a federal lawsuit today in the Southern District of Georgia on behalf of current and former Effingham County School District (ECSD) students who, along with other Black students in ECSD, have experienced pervasive racial discrimination, violations of their freedom of speech, and a hostile educational environment […]
Posted inUncategorized
Seven organizations awarded funds to provide extended learning opportunities for students in foster care
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Education is awarding $321,500 in Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time (BOOST) grants aimed at providing extended learning opportunities for students in foster care, State School Superintendent Richard Woods announced last week. The BOOST grants were made possible through federal stimulus funds under the American Rescue Plan (ARP-ESSR). “The BOOST grants align with […]
Posted inCommunity
Spelman College announces Dr. Pamela E. Scott-Johnson as new provost
Spelman College recently announced the appointment of Dr. Pamela E. Scott- Johnson as the College’s new provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. According to the press release, Scott-Johnson currently serves as provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Monmouth University in West Long Branch.“We are pleased to welcome alumna and former faculty […]
Posted inDecatur City Schools
Decatur City Schools swears in Dr. Gyimah Whitaker as superintendent
Dr. Gyimah Whitaker was sworn in as the new Superintendent of Decatur City Schools tonight, surrounded by colleagues, friends, and former board members from Fulton County Schools. The ceremony was held in the Elizabeth Wilson Student Support Center board room. Decatur Chief Municipal Judge Rhathelia Stroud gave Whittaker her oath of office. Previously the Deputy […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education will not extend the superintendent contract past 2024
In an announcement on Friday, the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education announced their decision not to extend the contract of superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring beyond June 30, 2024. In a prepared statement, the board reiterated their commitment to students, families, and employees of Atlanta Public Schools and the “laser focus on student achievement through […]
Posted inForsyth County Schools
Forsyth County Schools created a hostile environment for students with books bans
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) ended an investigation this week on Forsyth County Schools that alleges that the removal of books from Black or LGBTQI+ authors from school libraries created a hostile environment for students based on sex, race, color, or national origin under Title IX of the Education Amendments […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools approves new superintendent’s contract
STONE MOUNTAIN-In a special called meeting this week, the Dekalb County School Board approved a contract for their new Superintendent, Dr. Devon Horton, by a vote of 6-1 vote. Dr. Horton comes to Dekalb County Schools from the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 in Illinois, where he served as superintendent, and previously he was the chief […]
Posted inPost Secondary
The Board of Regents votes not to raise tuition for the 2023-2024 academic year
ATLANTA- The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) voted not to raise tuition rates for the 2023-24 academic year at 25 of 26 institutions, with Middle Georgia University as the one exception. This vote is the sixth time in eight years that the Board has approved keeping tuition costs flat at […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools offer new hire incentives for teachers and staff
Dekalb County Schools Board of Education announced a new initiative aimed at hiring teachers in hard to fill hard to staff positions that include areas: math, science, special education, bus drivers, and school resource officers. These compensation increases come after the Dekalb Board of Education tentatively approved the 2023-2024 budget that focused on including a […]
Posted inFulton County Schools
Fulton County Schools names graduation schedule
Fulton County Schools has released its 2023 Graduation schedule. Graduations are being held in a variety of venues, including The Gateway Arena, Ameris Amphitheater, and Gas South Arena. Alpharetta High SchoolAmeris Bank AmphitheatreThursday, May 257:30 PM Banneker High SchoolGateway ArenaFriday, May 1911:00 AM Cambridge High SchoolAmeris Bank AmphitheatreTuesday, May 237:30 PM Centennial High SchoolAmeris Bank […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools to hold a renaming committee meeting for BEST Academy
ATLANTA- The BEST Academy Renaming Committee of the Atlanta Board of Education will be holding a meeting on Monday, May 15th, at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to gather input from students, staff, parents, and members of the community to provide a recommendation to the Atlanta Board of Education. If you wish […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Professional Standards Commission dumping ‘diversity’ from teacher preparation rules
by Dave Williams | May 11, 2023 | Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA – The Georgia Professional Standards Commission voted unanimously Thursday to remove the word “diversity” from the state’s educator preparation rules despite an outpouring of opposition. The request to delete diversity and several other words came from the University System of Georgia, which was seeking to clarify expectations […]
Posted inHenry County Schools
Henry Board of Education approves the final version of the 2023-2024 budget
On May 8, the Henry County Board of Education approved its 2023-2024 budget, which focused on compensation and strategic programming. The $510 million general funds budget maintains the consistent millage rate, an increase in per-student spending of $11,677, and more than 40 new teachers’ positions, with six dedicated to an increase in exposure to middle […]
Posted inGeorgia Department of Education
Four Georgia students recognized as U.S. Presidential Scholars
Four Georgia students have been recognized as one of the 59th class U.S. Presidential Scholars, a prestigious honor for the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. According to the press release, Aira Dani of Northview High School, Michelle Li of North Oconee High School, Sahil Sood of Lambert High School, and Jack Xu of […]
Posted inGeorgia Department of Education
Georgia Professional Standards Commission set to vote on removing diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements from educator training
The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) is scheduled to vote on May 11, 2023, to remove language for diversity, equity, and inclusion language from requirements for educator training. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) was established in 1991 to assume full responsibility for the preparation, certification, and professional conduct of certified personnel employed in Georgia […]
Posted inPost Secondary
Spelman College installs 11th President
On Thursday, Spelman College formally installed Helene D. Gayle, M.D., MPH, as its 11th President at the investiture ceremony, at the Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel. The ceremony focused on honoring the great leaders who have led the college and introduced the vision of Dr. Gayle for Spelman. During her inaugural speech, […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Former Dekalb County Superintendent to lead Achieve Atlanta
On Thursday, Achieve Atlanta announced their new incoming President/Executive Director, Dr. Cheryl Watson-Harris. Achieve Atlanta is a nonprofit that awards need-based scholarships to Atlanta Public Schools students who pursue various post-secondary paths after high school. Watson-Harris, the former Superintendent of Dekalb County Schools, was fired from the board in April 2022 after a controversy that […]
Posted inGeorgia Department of Education
The science of reading undergirds Georgia’s new literacy-education laws
by Rebecca Grapevine | Apr 21, 2023 | Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA – Georgia is gearing up to implement a new approach to teaching reading in the early grades. Gov. Brian Kemp recently signed into law two literacy bills passed during this year’s legislative session. About 36% of Georgia third graders read below grade level, according to the state’s 2022 Milestones test results, […]
Posted inDecatur City Schools
Decatur City Schools confirms Dr. Gyimah Whitaker as next superintendent
In a special called meeting, the Decatur City School Board approved Dr. Ghyimah Whitaker as their next Superintendent. “Dr. Whitaker has a long track record of being a results-oriented educational leader with the proven ability to create sustainable outcomes by leading through impact and influence,” said James H. Herndon III, Chair of the School Board […]