Arguably, one of the legacies of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) and the more recent Race To The Top (RT3) initiative is an emphasis on accountability for public school students, teachers, and school districts that is measured heavily through standardized testing – and as a result, anti-testing movements have gained traction
Political capital is an odd commodity. In some cases, you can spend it, and end up with more than what you started with. Governor Deal’s promotion of criminal justice reform earned him votes in 2014 that he would not otherwise have had. In other cases, spending it the wrong way can quickly deplete your account.
Ralph David Abernathy III, who was the son of a civil rights icon and a former state senator, died on Thursday two days before his 57th birthday. Abernathy was diagnosed with cancer but I can’t seem to find a cause of death. In prepared statements, Congressman John Lewis and Mayor Kasim Reed honored Abernathy. Lewis
Yesterday, we shared a post with an op-ed by Newt Gingrich on House Bill 775. Today, we offer this contrasting view from Dr. Judson Briggs, President of the Georgia Optometric Association. To the Editor: As a doctor of optometry serving patients in Georgia, I was interested to read your story about Newt Gingrich and state
In a recent op-ed at the Washington Times, Newt Gingrich strongly cast a negative light upon Georgia House Bill 775. The bill would end access to an innovative technology that allows Georgians to receive a prescription for eyeglasses or contacts from a physician via an online eye exam. The substitute bill passed both the House (155-0) and
After an hour and a half debate the State Senate passed House Bill 951,by a margin of 38-14. Despite several attempts to amend the bill from the Senate floor, no changes were made, and the measure heads to Governor Deal for his signature. The bill provides for the annual back to school tax exemption weekend
Good morning! It’s dark, my children are a little grumpy, and I need another cup of coffee. This is day two of the bad time change (the good one is in the fall). Let the Marine drummer in this clip drop a beat that will get your morning going. Meanwhile, the great world spins: Daylight
This week’s Courier Herald column: Georgia’s budget for Fiscal Year 2017 is set to be its largest ever. The House and Senate will negotiate the final details of the $23.8 Billion package between now and March 24th. Along the way they may also consider a couple of plans to cap the budget, taxes, and the
Dr. Mary Kay Baccallao has joined Derrick “TMOT” Grayson to challenge Sen. Johnny Isakson in the United States Senate race in the May 24th primary. Dr. Baccallao finished third (15.33%) in the 2014 GOP primary for State School superintendent behind Mike Buck (19.52%) and Richard Woods (16.77%).
Today in the House, several members went to the well speaking against an op-ed written by Georgia Baptist Convention lobbyist Mike Griffin. In the op-ed, Griffin compared the House and Speaker Ralston’s inaction on Religious Liberty bills to Hitler’s policy towards the separation of church and state. Jon wrote about the Representatives speaking against Griffin
