Gov. Deal Promotes School Takeover Plan To School Leaders
Gov. Nathan Deal isn’t shying away from what is perhaps the most controversial topic for education in the state.
The governor laid out his vision for education Thursday for leaders in the field from all over the state: everything from restoring cuts to the pre-kindergarten program to improving technology.
But he saved the biggest issue for the end of his 25-minute speech: his plan to let the state to take over underperforming schools by Department of Education standards.
“I have no desire for the state of Georgia to take over any school,” Deal said. “But I will not continue to tolerate depriving thousands of Georgia’s children of an adequate education nor will I defend the status quo that offers these children and their families very little, if any, hope.”
The plan would let the state set up an Opportunity School District, which would help run failing schools.
Under the legislation, a school would be considered failing if they score below 60 on the Georgia Department of Education’s College and Career Performance Index for three years in a row.
If the statewide district were created, it would be led by a superintendent who reports directly to the governor. State officials could apply different interventions, like turning the schools into charters. They could also shut them down.
Some groups, like the Georgia Association of Educators, have publicly opposed the plan. They say similar programs in Louisiana and Tennessee haven’t proven successful yet. The Georgia Legislature approved the proposal, but voters will have the final say when the measure goes on the ballot in November 2016.
WABE reporter Michelle Wirth contributed to this report.
