Georgia is one of the top states for economic freedom

by David Bass | Mar 7, 2023

Georgia is one of the top states for economic freedom

Key Points

Georgia continues to be one of the most business friendly states.
Georgia did not impose strict lockdowns during the pandemic.
We believe that when the government refrains from heavy-handed intervention in the economy, everything from community life to poverty rates, job opportunities, upward mobility, and life expectancy will keep getting better.

Georgia is one of the most economically free states in the entire country, and that means more opportunity for our residents. That’s according to a new report from the Fraser Institute that tracks economic freedom in North America.

It’s clear that people across the country are realizing what a great place Georgia is to work and raise a family. According to Census.gov, Georgia is also among the top 10 most populous states in the U.S., and our population grew during the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that our economic freedom is directly tied to this influx of new Georgia residents who moved into the state between 2021 and 2022.

The Fraser Institute report backs this statement. In the report, five out of the top 10 states for economic freedom are also in the top 10 list for population growth. Conversely, virtually all the states (roughly 17) losing population over the last few years are among the worst states in the nation for economic freedom.

“The truth is, the economic results Georgia has enjoyed over the past few years translate into our people’s wellbeing.”

A closer look at Georgia’s economic freedoms

Relative to other states in the U.S., Georgia has a low tax burden. This includes income tax and business taxes. Georgia also has a relatively low regulation on businesses and sole proprietors.

Georgia’s economic freedoms were already in place before the COVID-19 pandemic, but they became more apparent during the 2020 lockdowns. The Fraser Institute’s study covered the first five months of COVID restrictions in North America, and it showed that many of Georgia’s economic improvements were the direct result of the lack of tight restrictions in our state.

During 2020, Georgia didn’t impose widespread lockdowns or restrictions. We lifted those restrictions as quickly and reasonably as we could, given the situation. Without the burden of long-term, severe economic restrictions and COVID-related mandates, we gave people and businesses room to grow.

The good life, with room to grow

The truth is, the economic results Georgia has enjoyed over the past few years translate into our people’s wellbeing. Our economic freedoms here directly impact the daily lives of people from all backgrounds. By virtue of the state government’s low level of intervention, our communities are positioned to continually improve over time.

While economic freedom may not be experienced the same way by all (because the poor in a free state may not — and likely do not — feel very free), economic freedom generally means that even the poor benefit. That’s because, in free economies, there’s more charitable giving, more organizations who can help, and more job opportunities to help someone escape poverty for good.

Here at Georgia Center for Opportunity, we believe that when the government refrains from heavy-handed intervention in the economy, everything from community life to poverty rates, job opportunities, upward mobility, and life expectancy will keep getting better. We’ll draw people here who want to share in and enjoy those economic opportunities. And together, we can continue working toward creating a brighter future for our state and the people who live here.

GCO applauds introduction of Promise Scholarship bill

by David Bass | Feb 23, 2023

GCO applauds introduction of Promise Scholarship bill

The Georgia Center For Opportunity is thrilled to support new legislation introduced in the Georgia General Assembly creating Promise Scholarship Accounts. Georgia State Senator Greg Dolezal is the primary sponsor of Senate Bill 233, The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act.

Funded by the state in the amount of $6,000 per student for each school
year, Promise Scholarships would allow families to find the right fit for their students’ 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, and more.

“A quality education levels the playing field for all Georgians,” said Buzz Brockway, GCO’s vice president of public policy. “Promise Scholarships would do that by giving eligible students the unique educational experiences that they need. All kids deserve a chance, including students who may need additional help or require a different learning environment. This bill gives a lifeline to students who are not currently served well by their local public school while having no impact on public school funding levels.”

“Our 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 would be a huge step in that direction for kids in our state,” Brockway added.

New survey shows spike in misbehavior among K-12 students

by David Bass | Feb 7, 2023

New survey shows spike in misbehavior among K-12 students

Key Points

A new survey puts forward more evidence of increased social and behavioral problems among students in K-12 public schools arising from the pandemic.
Georgia parents need more education options for their children.
GCO is working to bring a new curriculum, called Raising Highly Capable Kidz (RHCK), to schools, nonprofits, churches, and other outlets across the state.

We’ve paid a lot of attention to learning loss arising from school shutdowns during the pandemic, and rightly so. The results of the latest Nation’s Report Card from the U.S. Department of Education, for example, show test scores in reading and math in public schools at their lowest levels in decades.

But there is another side to the cost of school closures that doesn’t get as much attention — the social side. Now, a new survey puts forward more evidence of increased social and behavioral problems among students in K-12 public schools arising from the pandemic.

According to the annual School Pulse Panel published by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute for Education Sciences, more than eight in 10 public schools “have seen stunted behavioral and socioemotional development in their students because of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The survey went on to find that “minor offenses, such as tardiness and classroom disruptions, are the most frequently cited illicit behaviors that have increased in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Here are some notable excerpts from the survey:

84% of surveyed public school leaders said the pandemic had “negatively impacted the behavioral development of students” in their schools
30% reported an increase in bullying as a result of the pandemic
33% reported physical attacks between students
36% reported threats of physical attacks or fights between students
49% reported a jump in student “rowdiness outside of the classroom (e.g., hallways, lunchroom)”
56% reported “classroom disruptions from student misconduct”
42% reported “use of cell phones, computers, other electronics when not permitted”
24% reported vandalism
11% of public schools reported an increase in physical attacks on teachers or staff members influenced by the pandemic
13% reported threats to injure a teacher or staff member
36% reported verbal abuse of teachers or staff members.

The Raising Highly Capable Kids model is built on an evidence-based program that teaches 40 developmental assets that reduce risky behavior in kids and teens. We are looking for partners to help bring this to our community.

Where to go from here

So, what are we supposed to do with this information? Here are three takeaways.

Learning loss is only part of the equation

We must remember that other factors are also at play beyond learning less when determining strategies to help students recover. Isolation, increased screen time, chance of physical or emotional abuse, substance abuse, and general anxiety over the direction of society are just some of the factors in play here. And the sad reality is that many of these negative trend lines were already in place for young people prior to the pandemic. The pandemic simply revealed and worsened them.

Georgia needs more options

The struggles students are facing in public schools underscores the need for a diverse menu of educational options, open and available to all families regardless of income or zip code. Every student deserves an education customized to his or her individual needs and aptitudes. This is why tools like an Education Scholarship Account are so important. An ESA in Georgia would empower parents to pick the best educational option — or the best assortment of educational tools — for their unique student.

In the last session of the Georgia Legislature, lawmakers fell short of passing ESAs in the form of Promise Scholarships, which would have allotted $6,000 a year for families to choose alternative educational approaches. The Georgia Center for Opportunity team is hopeful things will be different this session and that ESAs will finally become a reality.

Students in traditional public schools need help, too

Even as educational options expand in Georgia, the fact remains that most families will still choose their locally zoned public school. These students need help, too. That’s why GCO is working to bring a new curriculum, called Raising Highly Capable Kidz (RHCK), to schools, nonprofits, churches, and other outlets across the state. RHCK is a 13-week evidence-based parenting program developed to build stronger families by empowering parents with the confidence, tools, and skills they need to raise healthy, caring, and responsible children. The course works through 40 key development assets to help kids.

The GCO team will be working to roll out the RHCK curriculum across Georgia in the coming weeks and months, so stay tuned for more!

Announcing the Raising Highly Capable Kids program in Georgia

by David Bass | Feb 6, 2023

Resilient Kids raising highly capable kids

Announcing the Raising Highly Capable Kids program in Georgia

Key Points

Georgia Center for Opportunity has partnered with a national nonprofit, RezilientKidz, to present the Raising Highly Capable Kids parenting program to adults across Georgia.
Raising Highly Capable Kids is a 13-week evidence-based parenting program developed to build stronger families by empowering parents with the confidence, tools, and skills they need to raise healthy, caring, and responsible children.
GCO is holding a vision casting session on March 9, 2023, and if you represent a church or nonprofit that wants to get involved, you’re invited. (See below)

We’ve got some exciting news to share about what’s ahead in 2023! The Georgia Center for Opportunity has partnered with a national nonprofit, RezilientKidz, to present the Raising Highly Capable Kids parenting program to adults across Georgia. The program is specially designed to equip parents to address common child issues in our state.

Here’s a quick rundown on the new curriculum. Raising Highly Capable Kids is a 13-week evidence-based parenting program developed to build stronger families by empowering parents with the confidence, tools, and skills they need to raise healthy, caring, and responsible children. The program increases parents’ knowledge and skill level of the essential building blocks every child needs — the 40 Developmental Assets from Search Institute, which are proven to increase childhood resiliency and academic achievement.

The lessons are available to schools, nonprofits, churches, and other organizations focused on helping to build stronger families for Georgia — and ultimately stronger communities. Through a community grant issued by RezilientKidz, GCO is facilitating course offerings for interested parents who want to learn more effective skills and strategies as they raise their children.

“It’s not just about creating resilient kids. It’s about creating resilient communities,” says Joyce Mayberry, vice president of family at GCO.

Today, kids in Georgia are facing high levels of “at-risk behavior” that sets them up for struggles in one or more areas of their lives. Ultimately, they could face unfavorable outcomes that affect them long-term — possibly for the rest of their lives. The Raising Highly Capable Kids program teaches parents the skills required to help keep their children from engaging in these risky and destructive behaviors.

To make Raising Highly Capable Kids successful, we’re depending on help from communities statewide. Here’s who we’re looking for:

School leaders to provide local parents with the tools they need to help their children succeed academically.
Church leaders to offer courses in their communities, with the goals of increasing local involvement and reducing risky behaviors.
Nonprofit leaders and organizations to host community-based classes that ultimately reduce family and emotional stress by helping kids avoid destructive patterns.
Donors to enable these leaders and organizations to offer classes for parents statewide.

Ultimately, Raising Highly Capable Kids is about helping our young people thrive and live their best possible lives.

“We want youth to be seen, heard, and valued. Every child,” Mayberry says. “Then they will show up as their best selves.”

It’s not just about creating resilient kids. It’s about creating resilient communities.

Joyce Mayberry

VP of Family

It’s not just about creating resilient kids. It’s about creating resilient communities.

Joyce Mayberry

VP of Family

A look inside the Raising Highly Capable Kids 13-week curriculum

The Raising Highly Capable Kids curriculum is built around the Search Institute’s 40 developmental assets, compiled from decades of research involving more than 5 million young people. Parents who attend training will learn from curriculum materials built on the foundation of the developmental assets. Children won’t attend these classes, as they’re geared exclusively toward adults.

The course is split into thirteen weeks worth of materials for parents and ranges from self assessment of parenting skills and history to monitoring social media and even building a family identity.

How you can help

We need community support — which means we need you! We’re looking for trainers, location providers, wraparound services, and individuals and organizations willing to fund the initiative.

GCO is holding a vision casting session on March 9, 2023, and if you represent a church or nonprofit that wants to get involved, you’re invited. During that time, we’ll gather all participating organizations in one room to learn more about the The Raising Highly Capable Kids curriculum as a unit. Please register for the event here.

After the March 9 event, we’ll begin training for those individuals who signed up to launch a class. Training will take place in one four-hour session on March 25, 2023. Throughout the process, GCO will be facilitating, consulting, and ensuring all participating volunteers have the books and training materials they need to be successful.

Contact Joyce Mayberry at joycem@foropportunity.org if you’d like to volunteer time or facilities. Alternatively, if you know someone who would be a great trainer, share your referrals with us. We’re looking forward to hearing from you and kicking off this new initiative!

Now is the time to expand educational freedom in Georgia

by David Bass | Jan 30, 2023

Now is the time to expand educational freedom in Georgia

Key Points

Georgia’s recent growth could be halted because it’s falling behind other states who are increasingly offering families more and more choices in K-12 education.
Georgia lawmakers have another chance this year at passing ESAs.
Georgia’s public schools are serving most families well — and public schools are the best option for most families in our state. But for some families, traditional public schools aren’t the best fit for their child’s needs.

Georgia is one of the fastest growing states in the country, and for good reason. But we imperil our ongoing growth if we fail to offer families the opportunity to choose a world-class education for their children. That means giving all students access to the right school for them — whether that’s a traditional public school, a public charter school, a private school, or a homeschool.

By falling short on this goal, Georgia risks falling behind other states who are increasingly offering families more and more choices in K-12 education. Two of the latest examples are Iowa and Utah.

In Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds recently signed a bill into law that creates Education Scholarship Accounts (or ESAs) for lower income Iowa families, allowing the money to follow the child to the best school for his or her unique needs. The program will be phased in over three years until it’s available to all families regardless of income.

Meanwhile, the state House in Utah approved a bill last week that would create a similar ESA, with dollars available for families to use for expenses like private school tuition, therapies, tutors, or other curriculum. That bill next goes to the state Senate.

Many Georgia parents are likely looking at families in Iowa and Utah and wondering, “Why can’t we get the same level of educational opportunity here?” It’s a good question. Year after year, lawmakers in the Georgia General Assembly have considered passing our own version of an ESA, but each year the measure has fallen short.

In the current 2023 session, lawmakers have another shot at passing ESAs and it’s well past time to make them a reality. The biggest argument against ESAs is that they will hurt traditional public schools. This couldn’t be further from the truth. We believe that when families are well served by our K-12 education infrastructure, all schools will benefit.

Georgia risks falling behind other fast-growing states unless we address the need to offer a truly diverse set of educational options.

The bottom line is that Georgia’s public schools are serving most families well — and public schools are the best option for most families in our state. But for some families, traditional public schools aren’t the best fit for their child’s needs. And in many cases, those schools will never be the right fit due to challenges and needs that can’t be met at those schools.

That’s why more options are needed. Georgia risks falling behind other fast-growing states unless we address the need to offer a truly diverse set of educational options. Let’s make 2023 the year that progress happens.