State superintendent offers help for “struggling” schools

Georgia Superintendent Richard Woods says it’s his job to ensure schools get off, and stay off, the list of those targeted for takeover by Gov. Nathan Deal, and says he’s offering support for these “struggling” schools.

Woods, who runs the Georgia Department of Education, says his agency hosted training in June for schools that scored low enough to qualify for Deal’s proposed Opportunity School District, which could be approved by voters next year. The agency also allowed principals to partner with peers from demographically similar schools with enduring improvements in achievement. Forty principals participated in the mentoring program.

The education agency has also worked to reduce disciplinary incidents by expanding a program called Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, which acknowledges and fosters good behavior among students. Woods says his department has seen success, with 38 schools improving enough to rise from the lowest-achieving “priority” status to the somewhat better “focus” status.