News for Immediate Release: January 13, 2016
RELEASE: Governor Deal Deeply Committed to Implementation of Recommendations of the Education Reform Commission
In his 2016 State of the State speech this morning, Governor Nathan Deal reiterated his commitment to pass the most extensive K-12 education reform package in our state’s history, although he has given the Legislature more time to vet all the issues and proposed solutions. The Governor challenged the Legislature to do all their due diligence this session so that passage of all provisions can occur in the 2017 session.
The recommendations being proposed come out of Governor Deal’s Education Reform Commission that recently completed 10 months of work. These recommendations would overhaul QBE, changing our 30 year old funding formula from a program based formula to a student based formula, as well as implement substantial charter school related reforms that would assist Georgia’s charter schools in the areas of facility funding, facility opportunities, authorizer accountability, and remedying discrepancies that prevent our state’s charter schools from receiving all federal title funds they deserve.
The Governor added that he would include in his next budget all the funding provisions of the Reform Commission recommendations so they would be ready to implement once passed by the Legislature.
GCSA’s President and CEO Dr. Tony Roberts, stated, “Georgia’s charter schools and the tens of thousands of public school students they serve have always been patient and persistent in the common goal of seeking funding and operational equity. I am confident that the strong words of Governor Deal underscores his commitment to improving Georgia’s K-12 education system. I believe our state’s charter schools will find that Governor Deal’s commitment to them and the work they do remains strong and unwavering.”
For more information, contact
Tony Roberts, President and CEO
Georgia Charter Schools Association
email Tony
cell phone 678-429-3564
