GBPI In The News Some Georgia teachers may not get full raise Gov. Deal pledged May 1, 2017 / January 15, 2020 by GBPI Admin The $25 billion state budget Gov. Nathan Deal signed Monday includes money the governor and legislative leaders intended for pay raises for Georgia teachers. But in some districts, teachers may get raises short of the promised 2 percent bump. Read the full article on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Read more » Budget & Taxes K-12
GBPI In The News Three Colquitt County schools climb off state watch list April 14, 2017 / January 15, 2020 by GBPI Admin Dozens of struggling schools that were once flagged for state support have since made strides. The state Department of Education announced this week that one-third of the 274 schools identified as “focus” or “priority” schools because achievement gaps or low student performance had shucked off those labels. Read the full article on The Moultrie Observer. Read more » Claire Suggs Education K-12
Blog Claire Suggs K-12 Education Private School Scholarship Savings Claims Deserve Skepticism March 17, 2017 / January 15, 2020 by Claire Suggs State lawmakers are considering a big expansion of the private school scholarship tax credit program. House Bill 217 proposes to hike the program’s cap to $100 million from the current $58 million over the course of a few years. The program is a variation on traditional school vouchers, which are private school scholarships funded directly […] Read more » K-12 Private School Scholarships
Blog Claire Suggs K-12 Education Misguided March to Expand Tax Credits for Private School Scholarships March 9, 2017 / January 15, 2020 by Claire Suggs | 1 Comment on Misguided March to Expand Tax Credits for Private School Scholarships The Georgia Senate is considering a plan to expand the state’s private school scholarship tax credit program after the House recently approved House Bill 217. The bill proposes to raise the annual cap on tax credits from $58 million to $100 million for donations to organizations issuing the scholarships. Its potential fiscal impact is cause […] Read more » K-12
GBPI In The News School choice presents challenges in rural Georgia February 28, 2017 / January 15, 2020 by GBPI Admin This year could be a big one for school choice. State lawmakers are considering expanding a program that gives tax credits to Georgians who help bankroll private school scholarships. Supporters say the program gives students in public schools better access to other education options. But for many Georgians, especially those living in rural communities, those options are […] Read more » Claire Suggs Education K-12
Budget and Taxes Claire Suggs K-12 Education Reports Ballooning Tax Credit for Private School Scholarships February 27, 2017 / January 15, 2020 by Claire Suggs Bill Analysis: House Bill 217 (LC 34 5120S) State lawmakers are considering a bill that proposes to swell the annual price of Georgia’s tax credit for private school scholarships. House Bill 217 raises the cap to $100 million from the current $58 million on a program that diverts tax revenue from the state to organizations […] Read more » K-12
GBPI In The News Proposed ‘education savings account’ will be costly for taxpayers and benefit affluent city dwellers February 23, 2017 / January 15, 2020 by GBPI Admin Georgia taxpayers could soon be funding private schools to the tune of nearly $1 billion a year or more, disproportionately benefiting well-off families in urban areas. An “education savings account” program would cost only about $39 million in its first year, but would balloon to an estimated $710 million in its third year, according to […] Read more » Claire Suggs K-12 State Budget
Claire Suggs K-12 Education Reports Education Savings Accounts Carry Huge Price Tag February 21, 2017 / January 15, 2020 by Claire Suggs | 1 Comment on Education Savings Accounts Carry Huge Price Tag Fact Sheet: Senate Bill 68 (LC 33 6784) Georgia lawmakers are considering a bill to allow parents to take state money to pay for private educational services. Senate Bill 68 proposes an Individual Education Savings Account, or ESA, program. These savings accounts allow parents to redirect public money to pay for private school tuition and […] Read more » Education Savings Account K-12
Blog Claire Suggs K-12 Education Filling the Gaping Hole in Public School Budgets February 7, 2017 / March 15, 2021 by Claire Suggs State funding for Georgia’s public schools went up $1.5 billion from fiscal year 2014 to 2017 and is set to go up $515 million if the General Assembly approves Gov. Nathan Deal’s 2018 budget. These are big numbers. Still, many school districts continue to feel the strain of financial pressures. The reason schools struggle financially […] Read more » K-12
Budget and Taxes Claire Suggs K-12 Education Reports Overview: 2018 Fiscal Year Budget for K-12 Education February 2, 2017 / January 16, 2020 by Claire Suggs Gov. Nathan Deal’s budget proposal for the 2018 fiscal year boosts funding for Georgia’s 1.7 million public school students by $515 million over the current budget for a total of $9.4 billion. The proposal includes a 2 percent salary increase for authorized teachers. At the same time, districts face growing financial pressures. The budget calls […] Read more » Education FY2018 K-12
