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, […]
Category: Georgia Politics
Posted inGeorgia Department of Education
Georgia House Education Policy Subcommittee passes $6,000+ voucher bill
The Georgia House of Representatives Education Policy Subcommittee voted to pass SB 233, also known as “The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act,” in an Education Policy Subcommittee Meeting. According to Senator and author of the bill Greg Dolezal, this bill will give students and parents more options regarding where they receive their education. “What this bill […]
Posted inGeorgia Department of Education
Georgia voucher bill seeks to give $6,000 to eligible students
If some Georgia lawmakers have their way, more parents will have options regarding where their kids are educated. On Day 28, better known as Crossover Day, the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, better known as SB 233, passed in a 33-23 vote after an intense debate on the Senate floor. SB 233 would create a voucher […]
Posted inGeorgia Department of Education
State Senate announces findings from Study Committee on Excellence, Innovation, and Technology at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
On Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, Sen. Sonya Halpern (D – Atlanta), held a press conference with members of the General Assembly and stakeholders from Georgia’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs, to announce the findings and recommendations of the Senate Study Committee on Excellence, Innovation, and Technology at HBCUs. Halpern spearheaded the effort, which […]
Posted inCommunity
Georgia State University campus faces damage from winter weather
According to the press release from the University, several buildings on Georgia State University’s Downtown campus were damaged due to the arctic blast that passed through Atlanta in December 2022. A weather update on the University’s website reports which housing facilities were affected. “Three of Georgia State’s Housing facilities — University Commons A, Commons D, […]
Posted inGeorgia Department of Education
Kemp announces teacher pay increase in inauguration speech
Governor Brian Kemp announced raises for teachers and other government employees during his second-term inauguration speech on Jan. 12, 2022. The governor’s 2023 budget proposes $2,000 pay raises for all state employees including state law enforcement, pre-kindergarten teachers, and kindergarten through 12th-grade personnel. Before the announcement, the average entry-level salary for a K-12 teacher in […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia School Safety: What’s happened and what’s to come
In the wake of the 19 children and 2 teachers being killed at Robb Elementary in Ulvalvek, Texas, Governor Brian P. Kemp provided an update on school safety measures and resources in the State of Georgia as local parents inquire if their children are safe in schools. “As the parents of three daughters – including […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia Department of Education awards $500,000 to expand CTAE programs
The list of awardees is available at the bottom of this release. Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Education has awarded a total of $500,000 to school districts to help them expand and improve Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs for students. Eleven school districts received CTAE CONNECT (Creating Opportunities Needed Now to Expand Credentialed […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Four Georgia Public Schools Recognized as 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools
Today the Georgia Department of Education recognized eight public schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools with four from the metro area. This recognition comes from the U.S. Department of Education and up to 420 schools may be nominated each year., the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. “Congratulations to Georgia’s […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics, Uncategorized
Georgia Board of Regents changes tenure guidelines
On Wednesday the University System of Georgia approved changes in tenure policies in 25 of Georgia’s colleges and universities. The new system will permit professors to be dismissed if they fail to take corrective steps following two unsatisfactory reviews. In a vote that warranted no discussion, the Regents voted for the sweeping changes. The changes come […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics, Uncategorized
Howard to Challenge Woods for State School Superintendent Role in 2022
In a surprising move, Cobb County School Board Member Dr. Jaha Howard, a Democrat filed on Sunday to run for state school superintendent currently held by Republican, Richard Woods. Howard who owns a successful dental practice in Smyrna, was first elected to the school board in 2018 and has been at the center of controversy […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics, Uncategorized
Metro Area Districts Receive $886,534 in Grant Funds
This morning it was announced that the Georgia Department of Education is awarding $4.9 million in competitive grants to support school improvement efforts in 14 school districts and state charter schools. In the metro area, two districts, Fulton County Schools and Dekalb County Schools receiving $886, 534 of state funds. Districts were targeted if they […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Superintendent Woods: Some Issues Divide Us, There Is More That Unites Us
In a statement released today, Georgia State Superintendent, Richard Woods, released a statement of him contracting and recovering from COVID-19. The letter released encouraged districts and schools to continue efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus.Woods tested positive for COVID several weeks prior to the start of the school year and after endorsing Governor […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia PTA Issues Statement on Culturally Responsive Curricula
In the aftermath of concerned parents storming school board meetings throughout the metro Atlanta area, Georgia PTA has issued a statement on the need for culturally responsive curricula in schools. The statement comes after the State Board of Education passed a resolution essentally the ‘banning’ of critical race theory being taught in K-12 despite dozens […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
President of Spelman College, Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D. Announces Her Retirement
In a message to the University today, Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., announced that she will retire as president of Spelman College at the end of this academic year, effective as of June 30, 2022. This announcement came after Campbell exceeded the $250 million fundraising goal. Since Dr. Campbell joined the Spelman community in 2015, there have been […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia Milestones Scores Come In; Indicate Importance of In-Person Learning
Today scores from the 2020-2021 administration of the Georgia Milestones Assessment System were released throughout Georgia today. The scores compared to 2018-2019 show the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated learning disruptions, along with low levels in participation. The state has specifically asked districts, news media, parents, and community members to use caution in […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics, Hot Topics in Teaching, National News, Teaching in Atlanta
Morehouse College Clears Account Balances for Previously Enrolled Students
In a historic move, Morehouse College announced today that outstanding balances of students who have not enrolled for fall 2021 but were previously enrolled in spring 2020, summer 2020, fall 2020, spring 2021, and summer 2021 semesters have been cleared, effective Friday, July 30. The College’s goal is to provide assistance to students experiencing financial […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics, Uncategorized
State Superintendent seeks students for Student Advisory Council
State School Superintendent Richard Woods is seeking students in grades 10-12 to serve on his 2021-22 Student Advisory Council. Selected students will meet with Superintendent Woods to discuss the impact of state policies in the classroom, along with other issues related to education, and will serve as the Superintendent’s ambassadors to their respective schools. Applicants […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia Department of Education Partners with Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network
In a press release to the Georgia families, the Georgia Department of Education is partnering with the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network (GSAN) to administer $85 million in grants to support afterschool and summer learning in Georgia. GSAN will administer the Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time (BOOST) grant program on behalf of GaDOE, with two separate, […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia approves high-school cloud computing Career Pathway
High-school students in Georgia will now have access to a Career Pathway in cloud computing, after the State Board of Education, last week approved State School Superintendent Richard Woods’ recommendation to adopt the new courses. The pathway is composed of three courses – Introduction to Software Technology, Computer Science Principles, and Cloud Computing.Cloud computing is […]
Posted inTeaching in Atlanta
Griffin Spalding County Schools Board of Education public comment section clashes over critical race theory
Community members sparred over critical race theory being taught in Griffin-Spalding County Schools during public comment at a Board of Education meeting Tuesday. Despite Superintendent Keith Simmons’ previous declaration that critical race theory is not taught in the district, a clear division formed as members of the public expressed their opinions at the podium. The […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia Department of Education Releases Reward Schools
The Georgia Department of Education has released the 2020-21 list of Reward Schools – the Title I schools making the most progress in improving student performance. This year, 157 schools in 77 school districts were identified as Reward Schools. “While we are focused on ensuring all schools have the support and resources they need to […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia State University Welcomes Dr. M. Brian Blake as President
ATLANTA — Dr. M. Brian Blake, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at George Washington University, has been named Georgia State University’s president by the University System Board of Regents. He begins his tenure Aug. 9. Blake, a computer scientist and software engineer, succeeds President Mark Becker, who led the university to unparalleled […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Kemp’s Letter on Critical Race Theory, and The Missing Piece
After Georgia Governor Brian Kemp issued his letter to the State Board on May 20th,conversations were had about some of the wording Kemp used in his letter. “We must instead focus on our goal of providing the highest quality education to every child inGeorgia, without partisan bias or political influence.” Though Kemp seemed to want […]