Georgia education department prioritizes changes to school funding
- The Georgia Department of Education is calling for changes to the Quality Basic Education funding formula, emphasizing the need for greater support for students living in poverty.
- Legislative efforts last year to reform the funding formula were unsuccessful, highlighting ongoing challenges in educational financing.
- These proposed changes aim to enhance safety and support measures in schools, indicating a critical need for education reform in Georgia.
In a recent statement, the Georgia Department of Education outlined a set of legislative priorities aimed at reforming the school funding formula. These proposed changes focus on adjusting the Quality Basic Education (QBE) funding formula to provide additional financial support for students living in poverty as well as recognizing the roles of bus drivers, custodians, paraprofessionals, and school nurses. The department is advocating for a request to fully fund the QBE to ensure sufficient resources for public schools across the state. Additionally, the department is responding to ongoing challenges in teacher recruitment and retention as evidenced by discussions from a recent meeting with members of the Joint Education and Youth Committee and Higher Education Committee. Many educators are raising concerns about the difficulties in attracting new teachers, with representatives from universities like Valdosta State University highlighting the need for more support to overcome existing barriers. Among the department’s priorities are safety measures, which include establishing statewide cellphone policies to limit classroom distractions, ensuring safety during medical emergencies, and deploying school resource officers to every school. Furthermore, there are calls for the creation of a crisis alert system to enhance safety protocols within educational institutions. Superintendent Richard Woods emphasized the importance of these initiatives, stating that they reflect the current critical moment in Georgia public education. He noted that building on previous investments by the governor and the General Assembly is essential to continue promoting an educational environment that prepares students for future success.