Education Rally: Access to More High-Quality Education Options

by Buzz Brockway | Feb 22, 2022

Education Rally: Access to More High-Quality Education Options

Join other parents and community leaders on Liberty Plaza to spread the message that it is time for change in education

Today, hundreds of parents, families, and advocates will come together for a rally at noon on Liberty Plaza at the Georgia State Capitol to voice their support for more educational options through Promise Scholarships.

The Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) take: “The time for Georgia lawmakers to act is right now. Already, 23 other states have passed legislation in recent months to create or expand educational opportunity for their families,” said Buzz Brockway, GCO’s vice president of public policy. “Our state must follow their lead by passing Promise Scholarships, which are a huge leap in the right direction to put kids first.”

New Research: School Students Lag Behind in Literacy Almost Two Years Into the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Buzz Brockway | Feb 17, 2022

New Research: School Students Lag Behind in Literacy Almost Two Years Into the COVID-19 Pandemic

New research brief shows that elementary school students lag behind in literacy almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic

The mid-school-year assessment concluded that students in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade are the furthest behind compared to their pre-pandemic counterparts. Black and Hispanic students are bearing the brunt of those learning losses, with the literacy gap between minority students and white students larger than before the pandemic.

The Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) take: “Count this report as yet another entry in a long line of research studies showing the devastation of learning loss due to school shutdowns,” said Buzz Brockway, GCO’s vice president of public policy. “Georgia kids need the flexibility provided by Promise Scholarships now more than ever. We urge lawmakers to pass either House Bill 999 or House Bill 60 immediately. Both bills would provide up to $6,000 a year for families to choose alternatives to their locally zoned public school.”

Georgia Education Academic Innovation Subcommittee Passed House Bill 999

by Buzz Brockway | Feb 1, 2022

Georgia Education Academic Innovation Subcommittee Passed House Bill 999

The Georgia Education Academic Innovation Subcommittee passed House Bill 999

Today, the Georgia Education Academic Innovation Subcommittee passed House Bill 999, legislation that would create Promise Scholarships allowing all children to find the right fit for their education. Scholarships could be used on any approved education expense, such as private school tuition, tutoring, homeschool curriculum, virtual classes, college classes, therapies (for kids with special needs), technology, etc. H.B. 999 now goes to the full House Education Committee for consideration.

The Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) take: “We have been fighting alongside parents and families to create more opportunities for students to access high-quality education options. Promise Scholarships are a huge leap in the right direction to put kids first,” said Buzz Brockway, GCO’s vice president of public policy. “This was a true bipartisan effort and we’re glad to see lawmakers working together for the common good of children and their education.”

GCO’s Take: The House Bill 999 “Georgia Educational Freedom Act”

by Buzz Brockway | Jan 26, 2022

GCO’s Take: The House Bill 999 “Georgia Educational Freedom Act”

GCO’s Take: The House Bill 999 “Georgia Educational Freedom Act”

The Georgia Center For Opportunity applauds the introduction of House Bill 999, the Georgia Educational Freedom Act. The legislation would create new Education Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) funded by the state in the amount of $6,000 for students for each school year.

GCO’s take: “We believe these types of steps give kids a fighting chance,” said Buzz Brockway, GCO’s vice president of public policy. “All Georgia’s kids deserve quality education and that includes students who may need additional help or need a different learning environment. This bill keeps our public school funding in place for the vast majority who access it while giving a lifeline to those left without opportunity or hope.A public education system should ensure that all students have access to quality education, no matter their race, past mistakes, or circumstances of their birth. This bill opens that door for kids in our state.”

National School Choice Week

by Buzz Brockway | Jan 24, 2022

National School Choice Week

The Georgia Center For Opportunity is proud to acknowledge Jan. 23-29 as National School Choice Week in Georgia.

More than 1,000 events are planned across the state to celebrate the blessing of educational options regardless of a family’s income, zip code, or race.

GCO’s take: “One of the attributes that makes Georgia a great place to live—and a great place to relocate to from other areas of the country—is our diverse and growing set of educational options,” said Buzz Brockway, GCO’s vice president of public policy. “During National School Choice Week 2022, we are honored to join with our neighbors in Georgia committed to providing access to the best educational option for the unique needs of each child.”