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 […]
Author Archives: Zelda Andrews
We used to teach now we write full-time about all things education in Atlanta.
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 […]
Posted inGeorgia Department of Education
Georgia class of 2022 ranked 15th in nation for Advanced Placement pass rates
by Rebecca Grapevine | Apr 5, 2023 | Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA – More than one-fifth of Georgia’s public high school graduates earned passing scores on at least one Advanced Placement examination, putting the state in 15th place nationally, according to new data out this week. The AP program allows students to take college-equivalent courses while still in high school. Each course […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County School District names sole finalist for the top job
This afternoon. Dekalb County Schools announced their sole finalist for the superintendent role, Dr. Devon Horton- the current Superintendent of Evanston/Stokie School District 65- north of Chicago. Horton was hired by District 65 as Superintendent in June 2020 with a contract extension from 2022 through 2026. A native of Chicago, Horton has worked previously as […]
Posted inGeorgia House
School voucher measure narrowly fails in state House
by Rebecca Grapevine | Mar 29, 2023 | Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA – Legislation to offer private-school vouchers to Georgia students attending low-performing public schools failed Wednesday night in the state House of Representatives. The bill would have created $6,500 vouchers for Georgia students to use for private-school or home-schooling expenses if they were assigned to attend a public school […]
Posted inGeorgia House
Public asked to weigh in on new English and language arts standards for Georgia
by Rebecca Grapevine | Apr 3, 2023 | Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA – The state Board of Education has posted a new set of English and language arts (ELA) standards and asked the public to weigh in by May 1. The public comment period is the next step in a lengthy process of revising the state’s standards for ELA […]
Posted inGeorgia State
Teacher planning period bill passes
by Rebecca Grapevine | Mar 30, 2023 | Capitol Beat News Service Rep. John Corbett, R-Lake Park, sponsored a successful bill guaranteeing teachers a daily planning period. ATLANTA – The General Assembly has approved a bill guaranteeing Georgia public school teachers a daily planning period to use for lesson planning, grading and other tasks. The new measure will apply to […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools drops plans for redistricting
In a communication to parents and staff on Wednesday, Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Lisa Herring shelved the potential rezoning plans for the Midtown and Maynard Jackson cluster. This comes after 200 students at Midtown High School staged a peaceful protest last Friday after accusing the district of unfairly targeting 200 black students and sending them […]
Posted inFulton County Schools
Dr. Gyimah Whitaker named sole finalist for City Schools of Decatur Superintendent
In an announcement to teachers and staff, the City Schools of Decatur (CSD) Board of Education announced Dr. Gyimah Whitaker has been named the sole finalist for the role of superintendent for City Schools of Decatur. “Dr. Whitaker has a long track record of being a results-oriented educational leader with the proven ability to create sustainable outcomes […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
News Brief: Amendments and substitutions added to SB 233 Georgia Promise Scholarship Act
With the passing of SB 233, it is noteworthy to highlight the additions to the substitutions and three amendments added before the bill was passed. The SB 233 includes several substitutes, including- the amount per student per year was changed from $6,000 to $6,500, dual enrollment was clarified, and funds can only be used for core courses, […]
Posted inGeorgia Department of Education
Several metro schools districts receive Opportunity Grants from GaDOE
Georgia Department of Education announced its second series of Opportunity grants aimed at expanding options and opportunities for students in Georgia. These grants will support more programming in fine arts, health, physical education, world languages, and summer bridge programs for rural school districts. This second round of funding totaling $1,820,804 is made possible through federal […]