ATLANTA (AP) – Georgia’s education system could see some dramatic changes in the next two years, as Gov. Nathan Deal shifts his first-term focus on prisons and courts to education.
Voters will decide in November whether to approve Deal’s proposed constitutional amendment to allow the state to take over chronically failing schools. The state’s education and teacher organizations oppose the amendment and are gearing up for a fight.
Meanwhile, Deal has until May 3 to sign or veto a measure passed by the Georgia Legislature that would reduce the number of standardized tests that students must take and change the way teachers are evaluated.
Other measures may also gain traction in the next legislative session, including a new funding formula for state schools.
SCHOOL TAKEOVER