Ten Atlanta residents qualified for the City of Atlanta Board education seats for Districts 1, 3, 5, and at-large seats 7 and 9. The 2023 election is the first staggered-term election for the Atlanta Board of Education, with only odd seats (District 1, District 3, District 5, At-Large Seat 7, and At-Large Seat 9) elected. […]
Author Archives: Zelda Andrews
We used to teach now we write full-time about all things education in Atlanta.
Posted inCobb County Schools
Cobb County School District removes 2 “inappropriate” books from school libraries
Earlier this week, several schools in Cobb County Schools notified their school staff and parents that they removed books that, according to the communication, contained “highly inappropriate, sexually explicit content.” This announcement comes on the heels of Due West Elementary teacher Katie Rinderle, fired for reading “My Shadow is Purple” to her 5th Grade Class. […]
Posted inDecatur City Schools
Three candidates qualified for the City Schools of Decatur School Board Race
On Wednesday, Aug 23, 2023, three candidates qualified for the Nov 7 school board elections in the City Schools of Decatur. One was an incumbent (James H. Herndon), and two were new candidates (India Phipps Epps and Tracey Anderson.) For District 1, Post B, which covers the northern part of the city, incumbent James H. […]
Posted inUniversity of Georgia
University of Georgia welcomes its largest class in history
Last week the University of Georgia welcomed its largest class in UGA history, with 6,200 first-year students out of 43,500 applicants. Toted as the most academically qualified in UGA’s history, the incoming class is one of the largest and most academically qualified, with the first-year students averaging over ten Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or Dual […]
Posted inCobb County Schools
Cobb County School Board votes to fire teacher over book on gender norms
The Cobb County School board voted tonight to fire Katie Rinderle, a fifth-grade teacher at Due West Elementary, after she read “My Shadow is Purple,” a book about gender norms, to her class. Rinderle was removed from her classroom in March after three parents complained, and Superintendent Ragsdale subsequently recommended her firing. At the time, […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools approves tax increase
In a special called meeting on Monday, Atlanta Public Schools voted to maintain the current millage rate of 20.500, with a vote of 5-0 with four board members not in attendance. Chief Financial Officer Lisa Bracken’s overview of the 2024 tax digest stressed that despite keeping the millage rate the same, due to increased property […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Dr. Danielle Battle to take the helm of Atlanta Public Schools
This past week, Atlanta Public Schools voted to approve Dr. Danielle Battle as interim superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools. This comes after Board Chairman, Eshe Collins, announced in July that Dr. Herring’s contract would not be extended in June. “We appreciate Dr. Herring for her leadership, vision, and service to APS, especially during an unprecedented […]
Posted inClayton County Schools
Clayton County Schools announces Smith as permanent superintendent
The Clayton County Board of Education announced Dr. Anthony W. Smith as Superintendent of Clayton County Public Schools. Smith served as the interim superintendent in December 2022 after former leader Morcease J. Beasley left with six months on his contract. Dr. Smith has a long history in Clayton County schools, starting as a Computer Technology […]
Posted inUncategorized
Dekalb County Schools to start 2023-2024 school year with 400 teacher vacancies
With the start of school in metro Atlanta, Dekalb County Schools is implementing an “all hands on deck approach” as they face 400 open teacher vacancies that need to be fully staffed for the 2023-2024 school year. To help cover the vacancies, the district will start a plan that calls for hiring summer graduates as […]
Posted inGeorgia Department of Education
Georgia schools show gains in early literacy for 2022-2023 Milestone Assessments
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 […]
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 […]