The reflections and things that have been marinating in my mind since Gorki’s presentation on poverty and inequality have really hit home today. I received an email from a friend giving the details of SB 458 which has recently been passed by the Senate and is in the process of going through the Georgia House. It stipulates that students from a school system that has lost accreditation have to right to go to any school they wish including across county lines and private schools. The state will provide vouchers for the private schools and state money for the students that cross county lines. The state money only accounts for 48% of our budget. They are requiring accredited school systems to take on a serious burden of providing the other 52%.
We all know what school system is in danger of losing its accreditation. But why? Clayton County, from what I hear, use to be a pretty good school system. What happened? What changed? An unequal distribution of resources? Low expectations? Bad leadership? How does a school system get off track so fast?
If we do not understand the problem, we can never figure out a solution. And so far the best solution our legislators have created is to allow families to cart their kids everyday across county lines to better performing schools and give those schools half the resources to educate that child. I hope this is not their only solution. Clayton County needs serious help. What can we do to help? We have all this new information and research in our heads. Let’s put it to use. I have been racking my brain all day, and I got nothing.
