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Celebrate School Choice in Georgia – January 25th @ the Capitol

MORE SCHOOL CHOICE – A UNITED VOICE!
Georgians rallying together so every child gets the education they deserve

January 25th, 10am – noon
The Georgia State Capitol steps on Washington Street

Commission Charter Schools Wait in “Legal Limbo”

The fate of The Museum School of Avondale Estates, and that of 8 other public charter schools in Georgia, is in limbo.  That’s because the Dekalb County school board didn’t want the school to get a charter saying it was too exclusive and too experimental.  But parents appealed to the state’s Charter School Commission which granted the charter last year.  And now Dekalb County Schools is one of seven districts suing the state because they’re losing money to them.

“This year, it is costing local districts ten million dollars but that amount will be growing and growing exponentially if it is not struck down,” says the Dekalb County Schools’ lawyer Tom Cox.

Cox argues the Georgia constitution doesn’t allow the state to create charter schools.  But charter school supporters say they need more choices in public education and if the 180 local boards in Georgia don’t let them create one, they’ll go to the Georgia Charter School Commission.

Toppling the Old Guard in DeKalb County

It rained all day, but motivated voters got out cast their ballots in a crucial runoff election that could bring big change to the DeKalb County School board.  Nancy Jester defeated incumbent Jim Redovian in District 1 with 55% of the vote. Donna Edler defeated 8 year incumbent Zepora Roberts in District 7 with a whopping 72% of the vote.

Textbooks Too Heavy? Here Comes Digital Learning.

By Tom Vander Ark

Most kids use a mobile phone. Most kids spend time online. Most schools prevent both. Our kids are online; it’s time their education was.

By the end of the decade, most U.S. schools will blend online and onsite learning to customize learning and extend the day and year. Most high school students will do most of their work online. All students (and teachers) will have Internet access devices and broadband. Cloud-based school-as-a-service will provide 24/7 access. The good news is that digital learning won’t cost more and it will boost achievement and graduation rates.

Pro-Charter Moms Elected to School Board

First time candidates (and full-time Moms) April Parker and Amy Dees waged a united campaign as “Moms for School Board” in Coweta County, GA and won! The pro-charter candidates ousted a long time board member from office and are now bringing the much-needed perspective of parents with young children to their local school board. Dees is the first woman to represent District 1and Parker is the At-Large Representative.

Waiting for Superman Comes to Atlanta

See it at Cinema Northpoint Market 8. Sign the Done Waiting Petition today. Waiting for “Superman” is a powerful and courageous film. It shows that great schools come from great teachers. And it exposes the forces that deny children more of both.

Hooray for Georgia’s Newest Charter Schools!

Let’s hear it for 13 innovative new charter schools opening in Georgia for the 2010-2011 school year. Congratulations to the passionate teachers, parents and community leaders who worked hard to launch them. With these new schools, the total number of charter schools in Georgia jumps to 132.  Georgia charter schools enroll more than 4% of public school students in the state. Read the story for a full listing of new schools.