Deal’s school takeover plan survives House committee

Gov. Nathan Deal’s plan to take over as many as 100 low-performing public schools statewide passed the House education committee Monday despite passionate protest from educators, parents and some lawmakers.

Senate Resolution 287 and Senate Bill 133 together shape Deal's vision of an "Opportunity School District" with the power to seize control of perennially failing schools.

The committee passed the bill 15-6, just hours after the Georgia Association of Educators and the Georgia PTA staged a protest at the Capitol, urging lawmakers to leave control of schools in the hands of local school boards.

The bill must pass by April 2, when the session is projected to end. Supporters of the bill say it will give schools the tools needed to turn around student performance.

The proposal is likely to face a tougher test as it moves to the House floor, where a more fractious GOP majority will need Democrats' help toward passage by a two-thirds majority.

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