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

Voters could decide fate of Decatur’s planned early learning center

A Georgia bill would require Decatur voters to approve bonds for a $22 million early learning center after community concerns over transparency.

Teachers, parents love Georgia cellphone ban. It could be coming to high schools.

Georgia Senate backs high school cellphone ban, sending bill to Kemp’s desk

The K-8 mandate will take effect July 1, with high schools required to follow suit by the 2027-28 school year.

Fulton may hold the road map for how literacy coaches

Fulton’s use of literacy coaches could provide a playbook for Georgia

Fulton County’s literacy coaches helped raise reading scores, offering a model as Georgia considers placing a coach in every K-3 classroom in the state.

8 candidates raise their hands to be Georgia’s school superintendent

Five Republicans and three Democrats have qualified to run in the May 19 primary election for state school superintendent as incumbent Richard Woods vies for his fourth term.

Georgia’s tax relief bills could create a major math problem for schools

Experts say diminishing tax revenue streams could leave school districts scrambling for funds.

Literacy bill, cellphone ban among education bills approved by Georgia House

One of the bills, the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026, focuses on ensuring students can read proficiently by the third grade.

Could these proposals shore up Georgia’s teacher workforce? Lawmakers hope so.

Legislators have debated how to attract and retain good teachers for years.

Science of reading Kimberly Elementary School

There’s a renewed focus on early education under the Gold Dome. Here’s why.

The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the need for a more robust early education system.

Lawmaker: Georgia literacy bill ‘most significant’ step since HOPE Scholarship

The sweeping bill provides training and support for educators, requires screening for dyslexia and other learning disabilities and mandates kindergarten attendance.

Senate panel OKs independent audit for companies that get film tax credit

Georgia Senate advances bill aimed at capping property tax increases

The bill passed but sparked a debate in the Senate, where some Democrats expressed skepticism that Republicans were concerned about making homes more affordable.