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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A MARTA operator is seen inside the control room of one of the new MARTA trains during the unveiling of these trains on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez