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Atlanta Intown.
October 01, 2014
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Atlanta Intown., October 01, 2014, Image 12
About Atlanta Intown. (Sandy Springs, GA) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2014)
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Newspaper Page Text
School systems pursue options for more flexibility
By Ann Marie Quill
DeKalb schools may soon pass Fulton
County schools to become the states largest
charter system if they succeed in its plan
to convert its operations to a more flexible
model.
In April, Superintendent Michael
Thurmond informed the DeKalb Board of
Education that the district would pursue
charter system status. A public hearing on
the decision will follow an Oct. 6 school
board work session, where the proposal will
be discussed.
Georgias school systems are exploring
options for more autonomy following a
Georgia Department of Education mandate
from several years back that they choose an
operating model by June 2015.
Schools must choose a charter system
model or an “Investing in Educational
Excellence System” model, called “IE2,” or
retain the status quo. The charter system
and IE2 models allow school systems to
sidestep many state rules and regulations
while also requiring more accountability.
“In exchange for increased autonomy,
including waivers from state law,..
. districts receive the flexibility to be
innovative and thereby [must] show
greater accountability and higher
student performance,” said Trenton Arnold, a regional
superintendent for DeKalb schools, at a public hearing on
Aug. 28.
According to Atlanta Public Schools’ website, the
types of flexibility schools may pursue under the charter
The Atlanta Public School System hasn’t
chosen what model it will pursue.
“These are things that will dramatically
change the way we do business,” said
Superintendent Meria Carstarphen during
her Sept. 9 “State of the Schools” address.
“We haven’t chosen a model. APS could be
very similar to what it is today; it could be
very different.”
APS currently has a survey on its website
seeking community feedback on the direction
it should take, and says if it decides to pursue
the charter or IE2 option it will submit its
application to the state by Nov. 5 following a
presentation at its Oct. 6 board meeting.
In Fulton, officials seem pleased that
they converted in phases to charter status
in 2012, with a final group of schools set to
switch by this time next year.
“Our charter system is really beginning
to gain a lot of traction,” said Superintendent
Robert Avossa, at Fulton schools’ back-to-
school news briefing in August.
He cited examples of what some Fulton
schools have been able to do as a result of
the conversion.
At Centennial High School in Roswell,
JOE EARLE a physical education credit was waived,
meaning that students in an athletic club or
marching band can take a high-level credit
course such as math or science instead.
Meanwhile, Northview High School in Johns Creek
applied for a class-size waiver, allowing the school to
create larger classes to simulate a college experience.
“We’re excited to see if we can replicate some of those
strategies across the district,” Avossa said. OS
Dr. Meria Carstarphen delivered her first “State of the Schools” address on Sept. 9.
and IE2 options include customizing course offerings;
waiving class-size requirements to allow for college
like settings; waiving class-time requirements to allow
students to explore internships or dual enrollments; or
hiring subject experts for teachers and non-traditional
gifted programs.
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1 2 October 2014 | INtOWIl
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