NEWS & OPINIONS
School Choice Vouchers: Keep an Open Mind
Earlier this month New York Times columnist David Leonhardt joined the nationwide conversation with his article — “School Vouchers Aren’t Working, but Choice Is”—tackling the crucial issues of charter schools and vouchers in the broader school choice debate. Mr....
Will Work for Happiness
America was founded on the principle that people should have the opportunity to flourish, to live out their dreams - to be happy. Our country’s forefathers cherished this important truth so much they included it in the United States’ Declaration of Independence....
Georgia’s Failing Future
“Children of today are the leaders of tomorrow and education is a very important weapon to prepare children for their future roles as leaders of the community.” – Nelson Mandela The Georgia Department of Labor recently released a list of the state’s chronically...
Was Trump and Clinton’s Campaign Silence Regarding Family Fragmentation Golden?
In a recent project spearheaded by the Center of the American Experiment, Georgia Center for Opportunity's President and CEO, Randy Hicks, tackled the one topic even politicians and religious leaders are shying away from - family fragmentation. The written symposium...
It’s the End of Session, Will Legislators Help Struggling Students?
A large majority of Georgians support expanding school choice in the state, including more than 80 percent of African-Americans and Latinos. The numbers are astounding, and for good reasons. Georgia’s students continue to struggle in national measures of academic...
ESAs Could Ease Overcrowding in Georgia Public Schools
Education savings accounts could help Georgia lawmakers ease overcrowding in public schools, an ongoing challenge for some school districts. Legislators are considering bills that would allow students to use an account to choose how and where they learn, modeled after...
Choosing Between Family or Welfare Benefits
We know that to avoid poverty, it is essential to get a high school diploma, maintain a steady job, and marry before having children (see research from the Brookings Institution and Harvard University on these points). Not only are they key to avoiding poverty, upward...
Disappearing Act: How an Entire Class is Fading From America
While lower, middle and upperclass can be defined in various ways, a State of the States report, defined lower class as those who did not complete high school; middle class (or moderately-educated, as referred to in the report) as those who graduated high school but...
National Marriage Week – Celebrating the Indispensable Institution
National Marriage Week will be celebrated next week, just in time for Valentine's Day. The celebration is now in its eighth year and seeks to foster collaboration around the country to "strengthen individual marriages, reduce the divorce rate, and build a culture that...
Trending Today USA with Rusty Humphries: GCO’s Jamie Lord Discusses School Choice
GCO's Director of Government Affairs discusses school choice in Georgia with Rusty Humphries, host of Trending Today USA. For more information visit Georgia Parents Alliance or learn more through the GCO website.
New Report From Mississippi Finds High Levels of Satisfaction for ESA Families
Research evidence loves company. Consistent findings from different populations mean the results are less likely to be an accident and more likely to demonstrate a trend. A new report from Mississippi finds that parents using education savings accounts report high...
Private School Scholarships Save Money for Georgia Taxpayers
New research from EdChoice finds that Georgia’s scholarships for K-12 private school students have saved the state between $12 million and $85 million since 2011. Nearly two-dozen states have similar tax credit scholarship programs that allow individuals or businesses...
MEDIA MENTIONS
Lawrenceville creates a center to help vulnerable residents during COVID-19 | 11 ALIVE
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Lawrenceville's response to the coronavirus is now up and running, offering short-term emergency assistance to residents. City council members, alongside Lawrenceville Mayor David Still, approved an agreement with Impact46, Inc. to create...
Georgia Enters into May with a New Executive Order and Guidelines for Georgians
Georgia's Gov. Brian Kemp issued a new executive order today outlining guidelines as Georgia resumes more of a pre-coronavirus lifestyle. Many of the guidelines come with strict stipulations for businesses to follow in order to remain open. GCO's Vice President of...
Inside a week that could define Kemp’s political career | AJC
Gov. Brian Kemp’s brutal week started with the threat of a protest at the Capitol urging him to lift coronavirus restrictions as he was planning to do just that. It ended with a cacophony of horns from a caravan of demonstrators outside the Governor’s Mansion who were...
Meet 5 Chicago Tech Companies on the COVID-19 Front Lines | BUILT IN CHICAGO
They’re looking into 3D-printing N95 and N80 masks. They’re providing medical professionals with personal protective equipment made in-house. They’re distributing fanny-packs stuffed with medical supplies to healthcare providers. Tech companies across the nation are...
Business, policy leaders weigh in on what’s needed to help rebuild Georgia’s economy | BAKER CITY HERALD
While part of Georgia’s economy is scheduled to reopen Friday, business and policy leaders say the state needs to take action to secure long-term stability. Buzz Brockway, vice president of public policy for the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) – an independent...
CENTER SQUARE: Business, policy leaders weigh in on what’s needed to help rebuild Georgia’s economy
While part of Georgia’s economy is scheduled to reopen Friday, business and policy leaders say the state needs to take action to secure long-term stability. Buzz Brockway, vice president of public policy for the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) – an independent...
CENTER SQUARE: What they’re saying about Kemp’s decision to reopen Georgia
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp's decision to reopen some of the state's businesses as soon as Friday amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic drew strong reactions. Even Kemp did not hold back in speaking his mind: "I don't give a damn about politics right now." Kemp announced...
BAKER CITY HERALD: Kemp reopens parts of Georgia’s economy; some businesses can open Friday
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced plans Monday to reopen certain businesses across the state, rolling back part of the stay-at-home order scheduled to expire April 30. Gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, barbers, cosmetologists, nail techs and...
