NEWS & OPINIONS
We need more lawmakers like Georgia Rep. Mesha Mainor
Representative Mesha Mainor stood up for the education of kids in her community and paid a political price in the process.
Empowering Job Seekers: The Gwinnett Housing Corporation Event
Discover the highlights of the recent event organized by the Gwinnett Housing Corporation, where the BETTER WORK Program attracted over 60 participants seeking employment assistance. Learn about the collaboration between various organizations and their impact on the Lawrenceville and Norcross communities.
Back to School: 6 Ways Communities Can Help Parents and Kids Succeed
Research consistently demonstrates that children with engaged parents tend to have higher academic performance, better attendance rates, improved behavior, and increased motivation to learn. When our kids are successful and able to show up as their best selves, our entire communities benefit from future generations.
Charter schools outshine the traditional public school model, Stanford University report finds
Between the years 2014 and 2019, charter school students were more advanced in math and reading than their public school counterparts. In terms of performance, 83% of charter school students had stronger reading skills than their counterparts in public school.
Unlocking Opportunities: Empowering Women at Whitworth Correctional Facility for Successful Re-entry
Key Point Those reentering society need a plan for gaining stable employment after serving time. Local businesses will hire and support those reentering society. There are tools, resources, and support available to former inmates. At the beginning of the summer,...
5 Summertime Tips to Support Children’s Development
Key Points Summers are for more family time and enjoyment! Studies show parental involvement is key to children's health and development. Raising Highly Capable Kids (RHCK) has tools to help parents. School breaks, warm weather, longer daylight hours—these are a...
Add South Carolina and Indiana to the list of states enacting nearly universal educational opportunity
Key states are adopting education legislation while Georgia continues to fall behind and leaves students and parents out of the conversation.
Are Work Requirements Good or Bad?
The discussion around work requirements is important because it challenges us to ask, “What is the purpose of our safety net system?”
Businesses fleeing cities over crime is a warning sign we can’t ignore
Crime is causing businesses to flee communities already experiencing a lack of opportunity. This is having an impact on healthcare, jobs, and social health.
National Police Week: Community Benefits of a Strong Police Force
Along with remembering these local heroes, Police Week is an opportunity to reflect on the role law enforcement has in building vibrant communities where everyone can achieve their potential.
Georgia parents deserve full transparency from state school systems
Key Points Georgia received a waiver from reporting its College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) metrics, including the A-F grading system for schools. The CCRPI metrics assess student performance, including comprehension of class content and preparedness...
Inflation is becoming worse for Americans on a fixed income
Today, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that in April the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.4%, not seasonally adjusted. Year over year, the CPI has gone up 4.9% in the last 12 months. The Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) take: “Not only has the...
MEDIA MENTIONS
When it comes to deadly shootings in Louisville, 2023 looks a lot like 2022
In 2023, Louisville experienced a high number of shootings, with 553 individuals dead or wounded, as reported by LMPD. While the statistics suggest a potential decrease in homicides compared to previous years, some, including anti-violence activists argue that there...
Reversing DC crime trends
Josh Crawford, the Director of Criminal Justice Initiatives at the Georgia Center for Opportunity, visited Fox 5 DC to talk about his analysis on DC crime trends. Watch the full video here
Ask Dr. E: What should national leaders do to rescue America from an economic trainwreck?
OPINION: Dear Dr. E: The American economy is a mess. Few could argue otherwise, at least with a straight face. Inflation is out of control. Our national debt is unsustainable. Social Security is teetering on bankruptcy. Homeownership is out of the question for...
Food Stamps: New Report Outlines 5 Possible Ways To Combat SNAP ‘Benefits Cliffs’ at Federal Level — Would They Save Recipients Money?
A benefits cliff is when a household loses more in net income and benefits from governmental assistance programs — like SNAP — than it gains from additional earnings. According to a report by the Georgia Center for Opportunity, this net loss is a “perverse incentive”...
Georgia report finds steps Congress should take to SNAP ‘benefits cliffs’
Design flaws in the federal food stamp program hinder recipients’ upward economic mobility and effectively force them into governmental dependency. That’s the upshot of a new Georgia Center for Opportunity report exploring possible solutions for addressing the...
Getting serious about teen violence in Washington, D.C.: Louisville, Kentucky, provides a solution
In this opinion editorial published in The Washington Times, Joshua Crawford highlights the escalating crime crisis in Washington, D.C., particularly focusing on a significant surge in violent crimes, including a staggering 104% increase in carjackings from the...
New crime dashboard will report ‘real-time gun violence’ to expand transparency in Louisville
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg will hold a press conference Tuesday, introducing a real-time, comprehensive reporting tool that will expand information transparency on the city’s crime statistics. A media release said the dashboard aims to create more collaborative...
Josh Crawford, Covid Becomes an Excuse for Crime. The focus on comparing 2019 and 2022 rates obscures how bad policy has worsened violence. | The Steve Gruber Show
Josh Crawford serves as the Director of Criminal Justice Initiatives at the Georgia Center for Opportunity, leading efforts in public safety and re-entry programs. In his work, he addresses the impact of bad policy on violence, cautioning against solely comparing...
