NEWS & OPINIONS
Georgia is poised to expand workforce opportunity
Key Points Georgia General Assembly, lawmakers unanimously approved House Bill 155, which creates a pathway for thousands of Georgians who might face roadblocks to getting an occupational license to smooth the path for doing so, provided they held a license One in...
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...
MEDIA MENTIONS

Democratic representative’s move could prompt school choice passage in Georgia
Could a state lawmaker’s jump from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party lead to the passage of school choice in Georgia? Rep. Mesha Mainor of Atlanta announced her intention Tuesday to switch to the Republican Party, drawing expected responses from her new and...

The Bryan Hyde Show – June 20, 2023
Having a society without punishments might sound like a good idea, but in reality, it's causing a lot of problems. Joshua Crawford explains why progressive prosecutors and the Democratic Party's approach are creating difficulties. Read the full article here...

Murder Is Actually Going Down—Wherever They’re Paying Cops More and Targeting Gangs
Since 2015, American cities have experienced elevated levels of homicide and shootings resulting in thousands more lives lost and families torn apart. Then, in recent weeks, good news arrived: Nationally, cities had experienced a 12.5 percent reduction in homicides in...

Georgia uses $83.5 million in COVID relief money for public safety grants
Georgia is giving out more than $83.5 million in federal COVID-19 relief money as grants to fund 118 public safety projects across the Peach State. Departments can use the funds to augment law enforcement staffing and support violent crime reduction initiatives...

Opinion: A path that could reduce Atlanta’s juvenile crime
In January, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens launched the “Year of the Youth” plan to combat juvenile crime rates in the city. The issue is a pressing one. Consider that in 2022, 19 of the 170 homicide victims in Atlanta were children. Deshon DuBose, a 13-year-old, is...

State’s occupational license requirement for lactation consultants violates the state constitution
The Georgia Supreme Court ruled late last week that the state’s occupational license requirement for lactation consultants violates the state constitution. As the Institute for Justice reports, “The licensure law would have required even experienced lactation care...

Facing Difficulties Due to Criminal Background
A bipartisan group of lawmakers made their case for school choice in Georgia, saying parents should have the opportunity to choose better schools for their children. During this year’s session, Georgia lawmakers killed Senate Bill 233, the Georgia Promise Scholarship...

Georgia Democrat calls for lawmakers to pass school choice bill
A bipartisan group of lawmakers made their case for school choice in Georgia, saying parents should have the opportunity to choose better schools for their children. During this year’s session, Georgia lawmakers killed Senate Bill 233, the Georgia Promise Scholarship...