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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Obama wants to overhaul schools
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
President Obama talked about merit pay for teachers, expanding charter schools and decreasing the drop out rate during a speech this morning. It was his first major address on education since taking office.
“It is time to give all Americans a complete and competitive education from the cradle up through a career,” Obama said. “… What’s required is not simply new investments, but new reforms. It is time to expect more from our students.”
There were few specifics in the speech. But he did promote merit pay for teachers. He challenged states to improve lessons in reading and math. He also mentioned lengthening the school day and year.
More details will come during a speech to Congress in the next several weeks. Until then, what do you think of these plans?
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Removing bullies
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’re nearing crossover day with the Georgia Legislature but legislators are still filing bills dealing with education issues.
HB 668 would give superintendents, school boards, hearing officers and members of tribunal panels the power to reassign a bully to another school at any time to separate the student from the victim. The accused bully could be sent to another campus or the system’s alternative school.
As it stands now, students must be moved to an alternative school after the third reported case of bullying.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Donna Sheldon (R-Dacula), also calls for the police to be notified when a physical assault or battery has allegedly occurred at school.
Would this bill address the bullying problems schools face? Or is just placing more rules on school districts?
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Where to build schools
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
DeKalb County school leaders are rethinking construction plans in the southern part of the district because students have transferred to other campuses and home foreclosures have sent families elsewhere.
Kristina Torres wrote that the discussion could set off the long-time struggle between the north and south parts of the district over resources.
You can hear similar debates in Fulton and Gwinnett counties. Parents who live in the older, more diverse sections of the district complain that new schools are built in the wealthier communities that often don’t have as many minority students.
School officials have said construction decisions are based on enrollment projections. They say plans are developed after considering the overall needs of the district — not the wants of a particular area.
Districts have been building schools at an alarming rate as student enrollment skyrocketed across the Atlanta area. That growth is slowing down.
What do you think, is there a better way to decide where to build schools? How open are school leaders in explaining the process they use?
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Lockdown at Cherokee schools
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two teenagers were arrested and three Cherokee County schools were on lockdown Thursday following a series of events that started with a tip from parents.
Police ultimately found a revolver in a ceiling tile in a restroom at Woodstock High and other weapons at a student’s home. Police are still figuring out what the teenagers planned to do with the guns.
As the story was updated on ajc.com readers’ comments focused on a few areas. Some took issue with how easy it was for the boys to get the guns. Others wondered where the parents were.
But many questioned how school officials could have allowed this happen. They assumed that the boys were bullied or had disciplinary problems. Others blamed the incident on the school —- with about 2,300 students — being too big.
Parents and others often raise these issues when something goes wrong on high school campuses. Are these the right complaints?
In these situations, can you really blame the school?
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