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This school takeover amendment - the "Opportunity School District" - do you think it's a state takeover / slippery slope, or a well meaning probationary plan to improve school performance?
Sales pitch from Deal:
Opposition:
Ballot text:
Sales pitch from Deal:
https://gov.georgia.gov/opportunity-school-district-proposalIn the proposal, chronically failing schools are defined as those that earn an “F†rating on the Georgia
Department of Education’s accountability measure, the College and Career Performance Index (CCRPI),
for three consecutive years. (The CCRPI includes measures of achievement, growth, and gap reduction.)
Based on an analysis of the 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015 CCRPI scores, 6% or 127 - excluding
alternative, non-traditional, and special purpose schools - of Georgia’s 2089 schools would be eligible for
the Opportunity School District (OSD). These schools, excluding state-approved charter schools, are
located in 22 local school districts. In the future, the first year a school earns a CCRPI rating of “F†it
would be considered on a warning track, and the second consecutive year the school receives earns an “Fâ€
rating would be considered a probationary year. During the warning and/or probationary years â€" or if not
selected for intervention by the OSD, the district could apply to the State Board of Education for one-year
waivers that would allow adequate flexibility for innovative programs to support improvement.
Opposition:
http://politics.blog.ajc.com/2016/09/20/school-takeover-opponents-step-up-their-pitch-to-georgia-conservatives/And Democratic opponents are looking to capitalize on support from conservative critics in deep-red counties where the proposal has ruffled feathers, such as the Barrow school board member who said Deal could “go to hell and take his money with him.â€
Here’s the text of the ad:
“Want the truth about the school takeover amendment? Read the fine print. Amendment 1 is a nothing but a power grab â€" a political takeover of our public schools by politicians and special interests Amendment 1 takes away local control; silences parents and teachers. Hands control of our schools to an unaccountable, statewide political appointee and out of state for-profit corporations. If you believe parents, teachers and local communities know what’s best for kids, Vote No on Amendment 1.â€
Ballot text:
Ballot title
The ballot title is as follows:[9]
“
Provides greater flexibility and state accountability to fix failing schools through increasing community involvement.[10]
â€
Ballot question
The proposed ballot question is as follows:[1][9]
“ Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow the state to intervene in chronically failing public schools in order to improve student performance?
( ) Yes
( ) No[10]
â€
Ballot summary
The ballot summary is as follows:[9]
“
This proposal authorizes the General Assembly to provide for the creation of an Opportunity School District and authorizes the state to assume the supervision, management, and operation of failing public elementary and secondary schools, including the power to receive, control, and expend appropriated funds for such purposes. It amends Article VIII, Section V of the Georgia Constitution by adding a new Paragraph VIII. A copy of this entire proposed amendment is on file in the office of the judge of the probate court and is availablefor public inspection.[10]
â€