Revolutionizing Education in Georgia
I believe fundamentally, when we design education around the individual needs of each child, we will achieve excellence. Thus, we have to recognize that no two children learn at the same pace or in the same way. As the father of three boys, I have seen this first-hand in my own home. What motivates one of my sons in the classroom does not interest the other. Where one may gravitate toward reading to absorb information, the other may learn better with a hands-on approach.
Because children learn differently, I believe the best education happens when local control is prominent and innovation and flexibility are involved. The Charter Systems Act was a bold step forward in this direction, allowing entire school systems the option of becoming a Charter System. These systems represent a fundamental paradigm shift in education and the potential to revolutionize the way we think of education in
A Charter System frees systems from burdensome state and federal mandates, allowing communities to define their own educational system and letting teachers do what we have hired them to do – teach our children. Passed into law in the 2007 Legislative Session, SB 39 streamlines and expedites the charter process greatly by chartering an entire system. On January 15, 2008, the following school systems applied for charter status:
While these systems have individualized plans to attain their goals, they meet a set of standards agreed upon by the State Board of Education. As long as schools meet these standards, they are allowed to maintain their Charter.
We have also seen very special results through Career Academies, which provide students alternative paths for education. Not all students are interested in pursuing college education or have the necessary funds to do so, but all graduates want a well-paying job and an opportunity for a successful career track.
We need more schools like these, which partner with the local technical college and surrounding businesses to create a program where students are trained to obtain well-paying, secure jobs in the local community. The opportunity for these high school students to gain a technical certificate - which guarantees employment upon graduation - is what education should be all about.
In the FY08 budget, we placed $1 million in grant funding and an additional $15 million in bond funding in the budget to help start 5 new Career Academies throughout
School systems that are interested in learning more about the benefits of becoming a charter system, as well as anyone who is interested in creating a career academy are encouraged to contact any of the people below. They are able to answer questions and assist in all aspects of the charter or career academy petition process.
Office of the Lt. Governor: (404) 656-5030
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Associated Document(s):
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2007 Career Academy and Charter Systems Handout.doc |
| Information for Potential Charter Systems and Career Academies |
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