Georgia Magazine - September 2016 - 29

Another view ... Opportunity School District ballot initiative goes before voters September 2016 IA CHAMBER OF EORG CO G SY TE 'The No. 1 issue employers deal with is finding qualified and talented workers.' UR CO T his November, Georgia voters will be asked a question that has the potential to change K-12 education in our state for a generation of children. Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow the state to intervene in chronically failing public schools in order to improve student achievement? While numerous public schools in Georgia regularly achieve academic excellence, advocates favoring the ballot initiative say it is unacceptable for even a single child to attend a persistently failing school. About 68,000 students attend 127 such schools in Georgia. Without access to a high-quality education, these children have little hope of developing the necessary skills to succeed in the workforce or seek higher education. In 2015, Gov. Nathan Deal called upon elected officials and education policy staff members to make the difficult decisions that would offer these vulnerable students the opportunities they deserve. Deal used his 2016 State of the State address to emphasize to the members of the General Assembly that education reform would be a priority of his second term. Deal said: "New options can enrich lives, brighten futures and rekindle hope. Three years ago, the legislators here called for and the voters of this state overwhelmingly approved the charter school amendment. I have good news: It's making a positive difference. This year, I am asking you to continue the trend of restoring hope and opportunity to areas of our state that could use a helping hand. I am proposing a constitutional amendment to establish an Opportunity School District." Passed by the General Assembly with a two-thirds majority, the Opportunity School District (OSD) now MM ER CE BY TOM WILLIS goes before the voters of Georgia as a ballot referendum in November. The OSD seeks to provide a path to change for communities and parents whose children attend failing schools. By giving these areas flexibility and additional resources, the OSD empowers them to remove obstacles that stand between Georgia students and their long-term potential. Education is the key to a successful workforce Since 2011, Georgia has distinguished itself as one of the best states in the country in which to conduct business. Low taxes, a diverse workforce and extensive transportation infrastructure have created a welcoming business climate and allowed Georgia's economy to thrive. Communities all over the state are seeing businesses relocate to their areas and existing industries expand their operations. However, there is an undeniable connection between persistently failing schools and a negative economic impact on the community. The link between education and job creation is important, says Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. "The No. 1 issue employers deal with is finding qualified and talented workers," Clark says. "The public K-12 system is the on-ramp where the majority of Georgia citizens will learn the basic skills needed in their careers. Employers gravitate toward communities that have an active and More online at www.georgiamagazine.org -Chris Clark, president and CEO, Georgia Chamber of Commerce engaged local school system. "Those businesses in Georgia that are expanding are willing to move to a community that has challenges with its education system, but they want to be assured there is a plan to address those challenges. Entrepreneurs are willing to invest in a community with a plan, but they aren't willing to invest in a community that is unwilling to change. The Opportunity School District provides a real plan for real change." Ultimately the OSD could allow more students to go to college or enter the workforce upon graduation, could encourage more employers to expand at home rather than going elsewhere to look for an educated workforce, and could help Georgia remain the No. 1 state in the nation in which to do business. All children deserve a highquality education, regardless of their ZIP codes The OSD will empower teachers, principals, administrators and parents to find solutions to the obstacles that are specific to their schools. This has proven to be successful because a community that is engaged in the operation of a school is committed to the success of those students. Georgia Board of Education member Barbara Hampton represents the 6th Congressional District, including portions of Fulton County, home to the largest number of OSD-eligible schools in Georgia. She knows that a one-size-fits-all approach to K-12 ed29 http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - September 2016