ATLANTA (AP) - The state would have broad authority to intervene at struggling local schools under legislation approved by the Georgia House on Wednesday.
Republicans had to regroup after the failure of Gov. Nathan Deal’s proposed constitutional amendment seeking to let the state take over schools dubbed “chronically failing.” Teacher organizations and other education groups fiercely opposed the amendment, and voters rejected it in November.
The House vote, 138 in favor and 37 against, sent the bill to the Senate for consideration. In a written statement after the House vote, Deal said he already looks forward to signing it.
“This is a critical step forward for improving Georgia’s education system for current and future students, families and communities,” Deal said.
Rep. Kevin Tanner, R-Dawsonville, sponsored this year’s bill creating a “chief turnaround officer” to work with struggling schools. The new position would be appointed by the State Board of Education, whose members are appointed by the governor, with input from the elected state superintendent and education groups.
Tanner said he wanted a partnership rather than a takeover of schools that score below 60 on the state’s index for measuring performance and growth for three consecutive years. The new “turnaround officer” would select schools from that category and request that they sign a new contract with the state laying out a strategy to improve student performance.
“We have an opportunity today to stand united,” Tanner told House members. “Is this a perfect silver bullet to fix public education in Georgia? No. Is there such a thing? No.”
The bill still prescribes dramatic consequences for schools that show no improvement after two years of state intervention or that refuse a “turnaround” contract with the state. In both cases, state officials could decide to remove staff, turn the school into a charter or allow parents to enroll their children elsewhere.
Tanner, though, said officials wouldn’t use those options in schools that are showing improvement and would simply continue working with local officials.
House Democrats split on the measure. Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, an Atlanta Democrat, spoke in favor of the bill, telling members that the state will have to assess individual students’ physical and mental health and other issues.
“I sympathize and I agree with those who say it’s still not far enough, that we need more resources invested,” Abrams said.
But she called the bill “a step in the right direction.”
Several conservative Republicans joined other Democrats voting no. Rep. Dewey McClain, D-Lawrenceville, said the plan is too similar to the school takeover amendment.
“The people spoke, and we should listen,” McClain said.
The Georgia Association of Educators is neutral on the bill and hopes the Senate will give more authority to the state superintendent, who is elected statewide. GAE President Sid Chapman said the organization supports the bill’s requirement that the “turnaround officer” have experience leading a public school and an acknowledgement that students’ experiences outside school affects their work.
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