Nearly one in six Georgia public schools have some work to do when it comes to creating a safe classroom environment.
Fifteen percent of schools were rated unsatisfactory or below satisfactory in the first school climate ratings conducted by the state’s Department of Education. The ratings were based on a number of factors that included the number of students suspended or expelled, student surveys on drug use, bullying and chronic absenteeism.
To see how your school fared, click here.
State lawmakers passed legislation in 2012 ordering a rating system. Most schools got average or above average ratings.
State education officials said they will work with schools that received low ratings.
Many of the schools that received unsatisfactory ratings are also on a list of schools the state would be empowered to take over under a proposal by Gov. Nathan Deal. His plan would give the state the authority to shutter failing schools, run them directly or convert them to charters. The proposal would create an “opportunity school district” with its own superintendent and oversight authority.
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