Racial comment at TNT throws spotlight on alternative education

The uproar over TNT Academy founder Nancy Gordeuk’s racially-charged comments at its graduation ceremony has put the spotlight on the academy and the 140 other private, non-traditional educational centers in Georgia.

The Georgia Accrediting Commission regulates the centers, but they are subject to few state regulations and their quality varies, according to accrediting agencies.

Many of these centers were started by parents who home school their children as places where students can get access to curriculum, tutoring, and social activities without having to enroll in public schools or pay for a pricey private education. Experts on these centers say more students are enrolling in them across the nation.