Georgia to join a growing list of forward-thinking states that are prioritizing the unique educational needs

by Kimberly Sawatka | Mar 20, 2023

Georgia to join a growing list of forward-thinking states that are prioritizing the unique educational needs

Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones expressed support for Senate Bill 233, The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, during a recent radio interview.

“I’m all for public schools. My mom was a public school educator for 30 years,” Jones said. “We’re all about wanting to try to empower parents and give kids an opportunity, particularly kids who are in failing school systems, give those parents other options besides just being stuck in the same system that’s not serving their child properly.”

Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) take: “Now is the time for Georgia to join a growing list of forward-thinking states that are prioritizing the unique educational needs of each individual student,” said Buzz Brockway, vice president of public policy for GCO. “We’re pleased that Lt. Gov. Jones has joined his voice to the vast majority of Georgians who support educational scholarship accounts like Promise Scholarships. We encourage members of the Georgia House to listen to the voice of their constituents and make these accounts a reality.”

EVERY Kid In Georgia Deserves
A Quality Education

EveryKid.info

EVERY Kid In Georgia Deserves
A Quality Education

EveryKid.info

About Promise Scholarships: 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.

Nelson Mullins – Gold Dome Report – Legislative Day 36

by Kimberly Sawatka | Mar 20, 2023

Nelson Mullins – Gold Dome Report – Legislative Day 36

House Education Committee – Policy Subcommittee

The Policy Subcommittee of the House Education Committee, chaired by Representative Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners), met Monday to consider one measure:

SB 233, authored by Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), is the “Georgia Promise Scholarship Act.” The bill amends Title 20 to provide for the establishment of promise scholarship accounts to be funded by the state in the amount of $6,000.00 per school year for each participating student.

Dolezal presented the bill alongside Jamie Lord, who represents the Georgia Center for Opportunity and is promoting the legislation.

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Georgia school voucher bill stays alive after heated Senate debate

by Kimberly Sawatka | Mar 8, 2023

Georgia school voucher bill stays alive after heated Senate debate

A school voucher bill is one of many that survived Monday’s legislative deadline where pieces of legislation have to pass at least one chamber in order to stay alive for Georgia’ 2023 legislative session. After some intense debate on the Senate floor, Senate Bill 233 sailed through in a 33-23 vote.

School closures during the pandemic added fuel to the school choice movement. In Georgia, enrollment in charter schools and homeschooling have grown since the Covid-19 pandemic. Georgia Center for Opportunity, a nonpartisan policy research organization, said SB 233 will expand school choice options.

“Parents across the country are demanding more educational options in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” GCO’s vice president of public policy Buzz Brockway said in a news release. “Now is not the time for more lip-service or half-hearted efforts to help students reverse learning loss.”

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Georgia Senate passes bill to create state-funded education savings accounts

by Kimberly Sawatka | Mar 8, 2023

Georgia Senate passes bill to create state-funded education savings accounts

The Georgia Senate passed legislation to create state-funded education savings accounts.

Under Senate Bill 233, the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, taxpayers would fund $6,000 per student per school year. Families could use the money to defray “qualified” education costs, such as private school tuition.

“Parents across the country are demanding more educational options in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Buzz Brockway, vice president of public policy for the Georgia Center for Opportunity, said in a statement. “Now is not the time for more lip-service or half-hearted efforts to help students reverse learning loss. Georgia families need more opportunities and they need them now.

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‘School choice’ legislation is sweeping the nation. Here are the states where it’s been introduced

by Kimberly Sawatka | Mar 6, 2023

‘School choice’ legislation is sweeping the nation. Here are the states where it’s been introduced

“Public education is the right choice for most families, but for a growing minority of students, an alternative is what’s best,” Buzz Brockway, vice president of public policy for the Georgia Center for Opportunity, said in a statement according to The Center Square. “We can, and should, support all options.”

“We must fund our public schools first and not continue to take resources away from our children whose only chance at a public education is in our public schools,” Lisa Morgan, a kindergarten teacher and Georgia Association of Educators president, told the committee. “Their only chance for an education is in our public schools.”

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