NEWS & OPINIONS
BETTER WORK has resources for high school students
Key Points Not every high school graduate will attend college. There are strong career paths available for those who are ready to learn. Jobs in the water industry are plentiful. In addition to excellent pay and stability, careers in the water field offer...
The GCO 2022 year in review
Curious about our projects. progress, and achievements over the past year? The Georgia Center for Opportunity 2022 Annual Report is now available online. This year-in-review consolidates the most crucial information about where we’ve been and where we’re headed, all...
Arkansas creates educational opportunity. It’s time for Georgia to step up
Arkansas recently joined a growing list of states that have approved Education Scholarship Accounts, empowering parents to make the best decisions for their child’s unique educational needs.
Let’s transform parenting in Georgia! Recapping the Raising Highly Capable Kids kickoff event
Key Points Positive relationships impact the opportunities and potential future for every child. GCO is partnering with RezilientKids to bring the evidence-based program, Raising Highly Capable Kids to the Gwinnett area. GCO is recruiting partners who are willing to...
The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act (SB 233): Questions and Answers
Key Points Georgia Senators have passed a bill (Senate Bill 233) that would create Promise Scholarship Accounts. The bill is headed to the House for a vote. Funded by the state in the amount of $6,000 per student for each school year, Promise Scholarships would allow...
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...
We’re helping the water industry over the next five years
Key Points BETTER WORK Gwinnett and The Water Tower are partnering to expand water industry job training to high school students and young adults. The water industry will need to fill 1200 positions over the next five years. Without skilled water workers our...
Opinion: Increase choice as public schools can’t meet all kids’ needs
OpEd Written by Corey Burres, VP of Communication Unedited Title: Public Schools Are At the Heart of School Choice As states like Utah and Iowa pass sweeping school choice legislation, it is important to understand no one is trying to defund public schools. The...
7 African-Americans Who Fought for Educational Opportunity
Key Points Access to quality education is a top conversation in Georgia and many other states and has been for decades. Stories of black educators offer inspiration for continuing to pursue better education opportunities for every kid. The examples set by African...
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,...
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...
5 Reasons Why It’s a Good Idea to Expand Georgia’s Tax Credit Scholarship
Key Points Georgia legislators are considering a 2023 proposal to increase the cap for Georgia’s tax credit scholarship program. The communities’ positive response to the scholarship has created a demand for more students to participate. Raising the cap on Georgia’s...
MEDIA MENTIONS

As Juvenile Crime Skyrockets to Record Levels, States Seek to Crack Down – Tennessee Star
As juvenile crime has skyrocketed across the nation following the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, state lawmakers are looking to pass laws to curb rising youth violence and lawlessness. Juvenile homicides nationwide increased by 44% from 2019 to 2020 and increased...

As Juvenile Crime Skyrockets to Record Levels, States Seek to Crack Down – The Minnesota Sun
As juvenile crime has skyrocketed across the nation following the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, state lawmakers are looking to pass laws to curb rising youth violence and lawlessness. Juvenile homicides nationwide increased by 44% from 2019 to 2020 and increased...

As Juvenile Crime Skyrockets To Record Levels, States Seek To Crack Down
As juvenile crime has skyrocketed across the nation following the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, state lawmakers are looking to pass laws to curb rising youth violence and lawlessness. Juvenile homicides nationwide increased by 44% from 2019 to 2020 and increased...

Progressive Prosecutors and the Inconvenient Democratic Will | Opinion
"Punishment is never fated to 'succeed' to any great degree." A society that "intends to promote disciplined conduct and social control will concentrate not upon punishing offenders but upon socializing and integrating young citizens." Such was the optimistic...

Creating a path forward to reduce juvenile crime in Memphis | Opinion
n February, Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis addressed the city council and told the story of an 11-year-old boy who had been arrested nine times and amassed 19 charges including multiple robbery, carjacking, and weapons charges. While this child may be particularly...

The Reasons Behind Witnesses Being Hesitant to Communicate with Law Enforcement Following a Crime.
In March, the Department of Justice released a report outlining examples of discrimination by LMPD in some arrest cases. LMPD is asking for tips from the public to help solve crimes, including a recent mass shooting in Chickasaw Park that left two dead. However, some...

Why Some Witnesses are Reluctant to Talk to Police After Crime
There are unsolved murders and crimes across the city, and in some cases lots of witnesses, but few tips. Almost two weeks ago, six people were shot in Chickasaw Park with two of them dying. Hundreds of people were in the park, but police have been begging for tips....

State Spotlight: Fighting for Students’ Futures in Georgia
What is it like when your child’s school is failing them? For Georgia mother Tanya Schlegel, it was heartbreaking. Her son “would routinely come home from school with tears in his eyes, saying the school wasn’t treating him fairly. I discovered they were not...