Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Jose Perez, a Gwinnett County resident, is a member of the newly re-established Georgia Charter Schools Commission. In this first article of a two-part interview, Patch talks to Perez about serving on the commission and his thoughts on public education.
The newly re-established Georgia Charter Schools Commission is in its second month of operation, having started in late January. Seven members, including Gwinnett County resident Jose Perez, were appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal last month to sit on the commission. It's been a fast two months for the commission, and there's much that needs to be done. The members recently hired an executive director to help do just that. -- What are your thoughts about the Georgia Charter Schools Commission? Let us know in the comment section. -- Following a contentious debate about whether such a commission hurts or helps public education in Georgia, the members know all eyes are on them. For Perez, who served on the state Board of Education from 2004-2011…
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
The State Superintendent speaks about why the charter schools amendment is a bad idea for public education in Georgia. His full remarks are attached to this article.
Dr. Barge, State Superintendent, shared his thoughts on the charter school amendment. In a press release, he had this to say: I fully support the continued creation of high quality charter schools for Georgia’s students, but after careful consideration of what is best for all of Georgia’s students, I have decided to take a position in opposition to the constitutional amendment that will be on the Nov. 6 ballot. Until all of our public school students are in school for a full 180-day school year, until essential services like student transportation and student support can return to effective levels, and until teachers regain jobs with full pay for a full school year, we should not redirect one more dollar away from Georgia’s local school …
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
On November 6th, voters in Georgia will weigh in on changing the Georgia Constitution to give a politically appointed state commission the authority to create and fund a separate system of schools.
Myth: The State Does Not Have the Power to Approve Charter Schools That Were Denied by Local School Boards Fact: The Georgia Department of Education currently has the authority to review and approve state charter applications. According to State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge, “with the state charter schools review process already in place, why does Georgia need another state agency that can do the same thing?”1 Myth: Charter Schools Are More Innovative and Flexible Fact: Charters are allowed to “kick out” students for behavior or academic reasons. Where do these students go once they are kicked out? They go back to the area’s traditional public school. This “flexibility” charters are given to kick out students means the most …
Film pulls trigger on education reform.
Imagine discovering that an over-worked teacher locked your crying child in a storage closet at school as punishment for not following the rules. Scenes like this are getting the Hollywood treatment in the 20th Century Fox film "Won't Back Down," to be released in theatres on September 28. The movie touches on parent trigger laws, a takeover movement that grants frustrated parents the right to petition for sweeping changes in low-performing schools. The law is designed so that if 51% of parents in a failing school agree, they will be given the power to replace teachers, change curriculum, close schools, or convert to a charter school. Charters are publicly financed, independent schools that receive waivers from public school districts in …
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Georgia Schools Superintendent Dr. John Barge has publicly said he opposes an amendment that would give the state the authority to grant charters for independent schools.
Responses are mixed after State Superintendent Dr. John Barge announced that he opposes an amendment that would allow the state the authority to grant charters to independent schools. The Georgia Association of Educators has officially stated that it supports the superintendent’s stance. “We truly appreciate the state’s top education official standing up for Georgia’s 1.6 million kids and against the November 6 constitutional amendment on charter schools. Dr. Barge sees first-hand the impact this constitutional amendment would have on ensuring every child in Georgia has fair access to a quality education,” said GAE President Calvine Rollins in a press release. Not surprisingly, charter school supporters are less than pleased. “Charter …
Friday, June 17, 2011
System also offers deal to Ivy Prep, but charter school's leaders object.
The Gwinnett County Public Schools board Thursday in Suwanee delayed for a second time a vote on a revised land-acquisition policy. This also was delayed from the May meeting. The system is considering a revised policy because of controversy created by a series of articles in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that said that some developers made large, quick profits on some land sales to the GCPS. Board Chairman Robert McClure of Lilburn asked that the board delay a vote to allow the system's internal audit of land purchases to be completed. McClure said that Joe Whitley, who is conducting the third-party audit for the GCPS, "might come up with more information we need to include" in the policy. The internal audit is expected to be completed…
Rae Harkness
6:23 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
I am happy you are on the board. I am a DeKalb resident and have children in a school that falls under your watch and appreciate your service. more ›