Georgia childbirths slow after Great Recession

Schools are still feeling the effects of the Great Recession, which was followed by a dip in childbirths.

Georgia bases its education funding for school districts on their enrollment, and that has basically been static, said Ted Beck, chief financial officer for the Georgia Department of Education. It’s up several thousand students this school year, a blip when compared with the overall enrollment of 1.75 million. Many districts saw a decline in enrollment as well as state funding.

And about 3,500 of those new students are not attending traditional public schools, said Beck, speaking to lawmakers Tuesday at a joint session of the state Senate and House appropriations committees.

They chose schools authorized by the State Charter Schools Commission instead, he said. “More than half of the new students that the state is seeing are actually attending one of those schools.”

In other Education news:

Moses Few, a graduate of Morehouse College, speaks about his memories of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., while studying at the college. Moses attended both high school and undergraduate school with the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Long-range plan could significantly change Atlanta’s schools

Declining enrollment and rising costs led APS officials to develop a plan that would “repurpose” 16 school buildings. A public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 3.

Atlantans speak out about plans to reshape the city’s school system

Gwinnett superintendent search marks pivotal point for school district

Gwinnett, like many Georgia school districts, is facing challenges in academic performance, school safety, retaining staff and the role of diversity, equity and inclusion.

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Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Long-range plan could significantly change Atlanta’s schools

Atlantans speak out about plans to reshape the city’s school system

Gwinnett superintendent search marks pivotal point for school district

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Credit: AP

Greene says she regrets ‘toxic politics’ as split with Trump widens

Amid an ongoing political makeover, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene urges a kinder tone and says the president’s attacks put her at risk.

Long-range plan could significantly change Atlanta’s schools

Declining enrollment and rising costs led APS officials to develop a plan that would “repurpose” 16 school buildings. A public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 3.

‘Digital is real time, print is lifetime’: Farewells to the paper AJC

From the sound of the presses to framing special front pages, those who helped build the AJC share their memories.