Martha Dalton

Martha Dalton is a journalist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution writing about education and the Atlanta Public Schools system. Martha was previously a senior education reporter at WABE, Atlanta’s NPR affiliate, where she was a reporter, producer and host. Outside of the education beat, she has also covered immigration, politics and transportation.

Latest from Martha Dalton

School closures loom as metro Atlanta grapples with enrollment decline

Demographic changes and the rise of school choice are driving a public school enrollment decline in metro Atlanta.

Georgia districts forge their own way as troubled program faces a crossroads

School districts are dropping out of GNETS to serve students with emotional and behavioral disabilities.

‘I’m a bad kid,’ he told himself. How Georgia’s special ed program failed one child.

Parents find that it's easy to get into the GNETS program, but in some districts, difficult to leave.

Georgia’s special ed program promised help. Families say it delivered them harm.

Ahead of her time 50 years ago, she now laments the state of GNETS

Five decades ago, Mary Wood created what is now called the Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support.

Hugs and tears fill room as Atlanta school board approves some closures

Why the Atlanta school board voted to close and repurpose some schools

Sixteen schools will be repurposed under the APS Forward 2040 plan as enrollment falls and the district seeks better resources for students.

Atlanta board of education approves school consolidation plan

The Atlanta school board voted unanimously Wednesday night to approve a consolidation plan, which would result in some school closures in a couple of years.

Kara Amouyal, a parent of a Westchester Elementary school student, speaks as Decatur parents met with Education Planners, a consulting firm, on Nov. 13, at Beacon Hill Middle School in Decatur to discuss the possibility of one of the district's five K-2 schools closing. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Parents are cautiously optimistic as Decatur slows school closure plans

School board members have said whatever they decide to do won’t affect the 2026-27 school year.

Wade Roberts (center), a Decatur parent with children in three of the city schools, addresses concerns with the possibility of a K-2 school closing. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Some Decatur parents feel blindsided by school plans, few details

Aggravation brews over lack of specifics and what some see as poor communication.

Long-range plan could significantly change Atlanta’s schools

Declining enrollment and rising costs led APS officials to develop a plan that would “repurpose” 16 school buildings. A public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 3.