Dancing A New Step in Education
The new year has begun, which means writing resolutions, reorganizing the closets, forced time in the gym and change. For many Georgia parents, the new year brings hope for the passage of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and expansion of meaningful education choice....
Yule log, Stockings, Santa Claus: What Role do Holiday Traditions Play?
With the Christmas season upon us, we find ourselves spending more time with family and reminiscing about holiday traditions we started as children. Today there is sufficient evidence to show these traditions play a positive role in families and will have a lasting...
The Economy: What’s Love Got to Do With It? Turns Out, a Whole Lot!
Earlier this month, GCO hosted a lunch and learn with Dr. Brad Wilcox, one of the nation’s leading sociologists. Dr. Wilcox has devoted his work to understanding family formation and the effect it has on our social structure and economy. His new report, “Strong...
A State Founded on Opportunity
I hope you will take a few minutes to watch the video below and learn more about Georgia's founding and how it relates to our work at Georgia Center for Opportunity. General James Edward Oglethorpe and the original Colonial Trustees founded the colony of Georgia with...
A Lesson in ESAs
Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) have dominated the school choice policy conversations as of late. However, many people are still unsure what ESAs truly offer, and some of the terminology can be confusing. ESAs are similar to an Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)...
Protecting Students and Taxpayers in Education
In the late 19th century, Hawaiian sugar farmers struggled to prevent rats from eating their crop. Farmers introduced the Indian Mongoose to the islands to save the harvest. Unfortunately, mongoose are active during the day, while rats are nocturnal. The mongoose did...
2015 Georgia NAEP Scores Show Room for Improvement
While commonly referred to as the “Nation’s Report Card,” the National Assessment of Educational Progress or “NAEP” assesses student knowledge in “math, reading, and other subjects” and has been “viewed as a credible national measure of academic progress.” Last week’s...
The Importance of Family Formation
James Wilson, signer of the Declaration of Independence, once said, “To the institution of marriage the true origin of society must be traced.” The results of stable families throughout the years have been the foundation of our country’s formation. Unfortunately...
The Odds are Not in Georgia’s Favor
In March of 2015 state Rep. Ron Stephens (R- Savannah) introduced legislation that would allow six casinos into Georgia’s borders. While the legislation did not gain traction in the 2015 session, there is a renewed and aggressive effort by casino interests to bring...
Education Savings Accounts and Learning in the 21st Century
A few weeks ago, Wired magazine editor Joe Pugliese told readers a story that should sound familiar to anyone who followed the careers of computer icons Bill Gates and Steve Jobs: Pugliese almost didn’t finish college because life outside the classroom was more...