Today’s moderator: Maureen Downey

Maureen Downey has written about local, state and federal education policy at the AJC for 12 years. She’s also taught college classes in mass communications and journalism. However, she’s learned more about schools from having four children in them.

»Join the discussion online today: Share your opinions and ideas on Maureen's blog Get Schooled.

Despite all the debates within education on what works and what doesn’t, there is consensus around one point: American students are not working to their abilities. That explains the increased emphasis on Advanced Placement and accelerated classes in our high schools. In my column today, I discuss whether parents should push their children into harder courses. In the guest column, a Cobb educator wonders why her county found the funds to help the Braves but not their schools. And readers sound off about Fulton’s plan to expand its education models and choices.

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The renovation of Jekyll Island's Great Dunes golf course includes nine holes designed by Walter Travis in the 1920s for the members of the Jekyll Island Club. Several holes that were part of the original layout where located along the beach and were bulldozed in the 1950s.(Photo by Austin Kaseman)

Credit: Photo by Austin Kaseman