Education
Education

APS school chief: Atlanta has history of inequity. School system is ‘canary in the mine.’

Inman Middle School is one of the most desirable schools in APS, and parents have and would resist any rezoning efforts. (APS Photo)

Credit: Maureen Downey

Credit: Maureen Downey

Inman Middle School is one of the most desirable schools in APS, and parents have and would resist any rezoning efforts. (APS Photo)
By Maureen Downey
March 1, 2017

THIRD OF NINE VIDEO SEGMENTS

With Atlanta Public Schools proposing school closings, I sat down with Superintendent Meria Carstarphen for a long and far-ranging video interview on the district. AJC multimedia journalist Erica Hernandez broke the interview into nine short segments. (Two to three minutes.)

Here is a link to the first.

Here is a link to the second segment.

Here is a link to the fourth segment

I will share the rest over the next two weeks.

In this segment, Carstarphen addresses Atlanta's history of inequities, which she describes as deep and wide.

About the Author

Maureen Downey has written editorials and opinion pieces about local, state and federal education policy since the 1990s.

Follow Maureen Downey on facebookFollow Maureen Downey on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

A man puts his head in his hands during an Atlanta school board meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. Atlanta Public Schools held its final vote on school consolidation plans, approving several school closures. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: Abbey Cutrer/AJC

Atlanta board of education approves school consolidation plan

The Atlanta school board voted unanimously Wednesday night to approve a consolidation plan, which would result in some school closures in a couple of years.

Atlanta parents, residents object to plans to close some schools

Due to lower enrollment and climbing costs, 16 school buildings would be repurposed under the plan, with several schools closing and their students rezoned for other schools.

Kennesaw State modifies operations on Marietta campus due to gas leak

KSU officials said the campus is safe, but internet and heat for some buildings on campus are out.

The Latest

A man puts his head in his hands during an Atlanta school board meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. Atlanta Public Schools held its final vote on school consolidation plans, approving several school closures. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: Abbey Cutrer/AJC

Atlanta board of education approves school consolidation plan

Kennesaw State modifies operations on Marietta campus due to gas leak

New Fulton charter school aims to move students on a path to success

Featured

Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Atlanta opens door on first modular rapid-housing for homeless residents

The first-of-its-kind development, Waterworks Village, overlooks the nearby reservoir. It's part of Mayor Andre Dickens' initiative to build 500 units of for the unhoused.

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Local GOP sees ‘danger’ in a chaotic race to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene

Republican leaders in Georgia's 14th Congressional District worry a crowded field in a special election could give Democrats a chance to win.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

Two centennials, one story: Delta and the Atlanta airport

Delta Air Lines and Hartsfield-Jackson both turn 100 this year, and you can’t tell the story of one without the other.