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Partnership Issues Three Position Statements on Legislative Issues News and Analysis The 2010 General Assembly has reached the halfway point. Although the Partnership does not offer a daily analysis of education issues that are being discussed, we do offer direct links to other organizations such as the Georgia School Superintendents Association, the Georgia School Boards Association, and the Georgia PTA that do. Voices for Georgia's Children offers a blog that often addresses key issues being discussed by legislators. From the GA Chamber of Commerce's weekly legislative review, March 8 SB 84 - This would improve Georgia schools by ensuring effective school board governance. Based on recommendations made by the Commission for School Board Excellence, the bill passed the Senate in 2009 and was approved by the House of Representatives today. The Senate will either need to agree to the changes made by the House or reconcile them in a conference committee before it can go to the governor for signature. HB 1195 - This would secure the future of the Georgia Work Ready program by codifying its purpose and governance structure. Originally created by executive order of the governor, this program continues to connect employers throughout the state with the certified workforce they need, a key advantage for Georgia in attracting economic investment. SB 386 - This is Governor Perdue's proposal to implement a performance-based option for teachers to both encourage and reward excellence in Georgia schools. If passed, the new system would go into effect in 2014, allowing the state Department of Education to fully implement Georgia's student data system so that performance can be adequately tracked. SB 352 - This would institute a grading system for Georgia schools simlar to one used in Florida that has resulted in stronger school performance throughout the state. Schools that see improvement under this new system would be eligible for financial bonuses. What are they saying? More cuts will damage quality of education in Houston schools - Macon Telegraph (March 17) Overflowing crowd at BOE workshop meeting - Forest Blade, Swainsboro (March 17) Hormones, alcohol and guns don’t mix - Atlanta Journal-Constitution (March 17) Campus leaders address budget: Schools need state support - Athens Red and Black (March 17) Editorial: Lottery ticket hike not best plan for schools - Athens Banner-Herald (March 17) Calendar with 3 fewer class days emerges as option for Richmond County schools - Augusta Chronicle (March 16) More cuts to k-12 education will compromise our children - Atlanta Journal-Constitution (March 16) ‘Students are not ATMs'; college students protest budget cuts - Atlanta Journal-Constitution (March 16) Students rally to protest possible budget cuts - Athens Banner-Herald (March 16) Students march on Capitol - Athens Banner-Herald (March 16) Editorial: Student protest brings reality to budget debate - Athens Banner-Herald (March 16) Few reliable models for merit pay - Atlanta Journal-Constitution (March 15) Band enthusiasts lament proposed budget cuts - Brunswick News (March 15) Scary math for public schools - Macon Telegraph (March 15) No power grab - Rome News Tribune - Reprint from earlier Savannah Morning News editorial (March 15) Savannah students, educators protest massive education cuts - Savannah Morning News (march 15) Budget blows softened under Perdue’s plan: Schools struggle in the South - UGA Red and Black (March 15) CON: Reductions affect entire state not just students - UGA Red and Black (March 15) Savannah-Chatham school board gives back portion of pay to show solidarity - Savannah Morning News (March 14) Graduating to equality - Gainesville Times (March 14) Metro schools to slash again - Atlanta Journal-Constitution (March 14) UGA under cloud - Athens Banner-Herald (March 14) Forum: Higher ed 'vaccinates' Georgians - Athens Banner-Herald (March 14) Education cuts are shaking Georgia's foundations - Athens Banner-Herald (March 13) DeKalb: County can’t lose its science jewel - Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) (March 13) Gwinnett next in line for school budget cuts - AJC (March 13) Jackson schools brace for another round of layoffs - Commerce News (March 13) Schools targeted for closure, all in south DeKalb - Cross Roads News (March 13) Coweta educators wait for state budget and more possible cuts - Newnan Times-Herald (March 13) BOE: Students might not get school agendas - Newton Citizen (March 13) Polk schools will move to 160-day calendar next year - Rome News Tribune (March 13) School system faced with tough decisions - Rome News Tribune (March 13) Angry Teachers Rally At Capitol - WGCL-TV, Atlanta (March 13) Students protest proposed budget cuts - Savannah Morning News (March 12) Weighing higher ed in budget balancing act - Rome News-Tribune (March 12) Polk school system cutting days: A move from 180 to 160 days is expected to lengthen the school day - Rome News-Tribune (March 12) NCSS should expect more budget cuts - Newton Citizen (March 12) Bills calling for larger classes, fewer tests clear House panel - Macon Telegraph (March 12) Camden school officials ponder changes to calendar - Jacksonville Times (March 12) State school budget cuts could be severe - Gainesville Times (March 12) State school superintendent sees tougher times ahead - Clayton News Daily (March 12) 4-H participants fight state budget cut proposal - Augusta Chronicle (March 12) Perdue: Colleges to see smaller cuts, hospitals deeper ones - Atlanta Journal-Constitution-AJC (March 12) Cobb schools face job losses, program cuts - AJC (March 12) Students plan rally - Athens Banner-Herald (March 12) No tax hike for schools, but for a Falcons stadium? Sure thing! - Atlanta Journal-Constitution (March 11) Education system faces wrong direction - Augusta Chronicle (March 11) Better off with some waste in government? - Commerce News (March 11) Good time to clean up waste in state government - Hartwell Sun (March 11) Rep. Alisha T. Morgan: Georgia charging ahead to lead 'Race to the Top' - Marietta Daily Journal, Marietta (March 11) Cuts could up class sizes, reduce teachers - Marietta Daily Journal (March 11) Sanderson laments cuts - Marietta Daily Journal, (March 11) Polk schools to move to 160-day calendar - Rome News Tribune, (March 11) Columbia County may cut teaching positions - WAGT-TV, Augusta (March 11) Lawmakers Short On Ideas To Help Georgia Schools - WGCL-TV, Atlanta (March 11) Teachers in Georgia Losing Jobs - Georgia Public Broadcasting (March 11) Local Superintendent Reacts to Ethics Legislation - WNEG-TV, Toccoa (March 11) More Georgia Schools Facing Deeper Budget Cuts, State Can't Bail Them Out - WXIA-TV, Atlanta (March 11) Your Opinion: Education an investment, not an expense - Tifton Gazette (March 10) No power grab - Savannah Morning News (March 10) Shortening school week won’t help state students - Rome News Tribune (March 10) Education cuts threaten Georgia’s future - Macon Telegraph (March 10) Bibb school board raises taxes - Macon Telegraph (March 10) Hall County Schools System could close elementary school to save money - Gainesville Times (March 10) All state employees need to sacrifice - Columbia County News (March 10) Budget gap questioned at education forum - Cherokee Tribune (March 10) School year could get shorter - Brunswick News (March 10) Columbia County might lose teaching positions - Augusta Chronicle (March 10) School board members could be out under bill - Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) (March 10) Proposed school closures divide DeKalb - AJC (March 10) On the record: With Georgia House Rules Committee Chairman Bill Hembree - AJC (March 10) Cuts would hurt lives, Fulton school board told - AJC (March 10) The State Budget: Don't make higher ed bear brunt of cuts - Marietta Daily Journal (March 9) Yarbrough: Perdue horsing around with budget proposals - Several papers (march 9) Governor’s BOE bill clears House - Macon Telegraph (March 9) Baldwin school board cautious on 4-day week - Macon Telegraph (March 9) Fayette School Board to consider furlough days - Fayette Citizen (March 9) Across Georgia - Augusta Chronicle (March 9)
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