The May 21 Primary Election was ripe for school boards across the metro area, with newcomers clinching seats, several runoffs in different races, and several incumbents who ran unopposed. Cobb County Schools (Partisan) Candidates running for school board seats in Cobb County are running under new, highly contested maps passed by the Georgia legislature. Since […]
Category: Georgia News
Posted inGeorgia News
Board of Regents to increase tuition rates at 25 public colleges and universities
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) voted today to approve tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year at USG’s 26 public colleges and universities. In-state undergraduate tuition will increase by 2.5%, while out-of-state tuition will increase by 5%. A third level of tuition for out-of-country students will also be established […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
New dashboard highlights reading readiness across the state
Starting today, it will be easier for educators, communities, and stakeholders to access literacy data at the state, district, and school levels. Through the Reading Readiness Dashboard, Georgians can access information on the percentage of students reading below, on, and above grade level for every school, district, and Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) region in […]
Posted inGeorgia House
State Senate passes ‘culture wars’ education measure
by Dave Williams | Mar 28, 2024 | Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA – The Georgia Senate passed legislation Tuesday crammed with multiple “culture wars” provisions affecting Georgia schools. House Bill 1104, which the Senate’s Republican majority passed 33-21 along party lines, originated in the House as a measure addressing mental-health risks for student athletes. But Senate Republicans added a […]
Posted inGeorgia House
Private school vouchers narrowly clear Georgia House
by Dave Williams | Mar 14, 2024 | Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA – A controversial private-school vouchers bill squeaked through the Georgia House of Representatives Thursday. The bill, which would provide vouchers worth up to $6,500 to help students in low-performing public schools transfer to a private school, passed the Republican-controlled House 91-82, the minimum number of votes needed […]
Posted inGeorgia News
Pay raises for teachers, state workers sail through Georgia House
by Dave Williams | Mar 10, 2024 | Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA – The Georgia House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a $36.1 billion fiscal 2025 state budget Thursday with generous raises for teachers and state employees made possible by a huge surplus. “This is an awesome budget that addresses the needs of every Georgian from all walks of life,” […]
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 inGeorgia Politics
State Senate passes bill aimed at American Library Association
by Dave Williams |March 3, 2024 | Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA – The Republican-controlled Georgia Senate has passed legislation that would prohibit city, county, and regional libraries from using either tax dollars or private funds on any materials offered by the American Library Association (ALA). Senate Bill 390 cleared the upper chamber in the General Assembly 33-20 along […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia House Subcommittee discusses education initiatives and budget adjustments in recent meeting
The Georgia House Appropriations Higher Education Subcommittee held a meeting late last week for the 2025 Budget Hearing. The Subcommittee made several agency adjustments to the budget, including health insurance, retirement systems, DLs, and insurance. The most notable change is a formula growth of $2.256 million in USG’s teaching program. Georgia MATCH Lynne Riley, President […]
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 inGeorgia News
Georgia General Assembly introduces bill to require defibrillators in schools
The Georgia General Assembly introduced House Bill 874, which could require defibrillators in all schools on January 12th. Its first summary reads as follows: “A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia Senate Committee on Education & Youth passes bills during meeting
The Georgia Senate Committee held its Education & Youth Committee Meeting at 2:30 p.m. yesterday. During the brief meeting, the committee passed two bills. The first was SB 208, which aims to provide education fees. The bill’s First Reader Summary reads, “To amend Chapter 71 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia schools getting electric buses through federal grant
by Dave Williams | Jan 23, 2024 | Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA – Seven Georgia school districts will receive nearly $60 million in federal funding for new electric and low-emission buses. The Georgia grant is part of $1 billion going to school systems across the country to pay for clean buses. The money comes from the bipartisan infrastructure spending […]
Posted inGeorgia Department of Education
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp Mentions Education In State of The State Address
Today, Gov. Brian Kemp delivered his State of the State Address at the Georgia Capitol Museum. At the beginning of the address, Kemp promised to “put hard work and Georgians first,” fund priorities like education, public safety, and healthcare, and keep the government “efficient, responsible, and accountable.” During the address, Kemp mentioned the Georgia Match […]
Posted inGeorgia Department of Education
Gov. Kemp announces $1000 bonus for all state employees
Gov. Kemp announces bonuses for every state employee, including public school teachers; each k-12 educator will receive a $1000 bonus that will appear on a paycheck this month. During a news conference, Gov. Brian Kemp announced this morning where Speaker Burns, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Matt Hatchett, and Senator Bo Hatchett joined him. “We are […]
Posted inAnti Racism
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 […]
Posted inGeorgia News
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 […]
Posted inGeorgia News
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, […]
Posted inGeorgia News
Metro Atlanta School Districts Respond to Hamas Attacks on Israel
Atlanta, GA – In the wake of the unexpected series of attacks launched by Hamas on Israel on the morning of October 7th, various school districts and colleges in the metro Atlanta area have responded by offering prayers and condolences through social media and email channels. Emory University, situated in the heart of Atlanta, made […]
Posted inGeorgia News
Art Institute of Atlanta set to close doors on September 30
Effective September 30, 2023, the Art Institute of Atlanta will permanently close its doors to students and staff. According to 11 Alive, the institution attributed the closure to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The second quarter was scheduled to start October 1, 2023. There is no word about those students scheduled to graduate in […]
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
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 House
Lawsuit looking to block ban on gender-affirming care for Georgia transgender youth
by Dave Williams | Jun 30, 2023 | Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA – A group of parents has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Georgia legislation limiting medical care for transgender children two days before the law is due to take effect. Senate Bill 140, which prevents Georgians under 18 from obtaining gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy or surgery, is scheduled […]
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 […]