This was an incredible week for Education reform in Georgia.  Congratulations to Senator Chip Rogers for the signing of SB 153 into law. According to a Press Release issued on May 2nd from the Georgia Senate Press Office, "The measure authored by Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers, is designed to protect teachers who lose their job through no fault of their own."

The release further states that "SB 153 requires that employment records accurately note when a teacher is laid off because of issues not related to performance. The result of this act is to ensure that Georgia teachers can be rehired more easily and not be punished for losing a job over financial issues with the district."

“We must continue to create policy that puts teachers first. During these tough economic times, it is important that our educators do not feel abandoned by our state; we must continue to support those who are on the front lines of our classrooms every day,” said Sen. Rogers. “Teachers should never be punished for the financial decisions of the local district. I am thankful to Governor Deal for signing this important piece of legislation that will further benefit and protect Georgia’s educators.”

Thank you, Chip Rogers, for fighting for our teachers in Cherokee County and across Georgia!

Cherokee Parents for Choice is looking forward to attending this Town Hall in North Fulton.  We support Senator Albers and Representative Jan Jones for their incredible work on HR1162 and we stand proudly in their corner.  Please click below for details on the meeting.

Are You For or Against School Choice in North Fulton?

A Perspective on the "Private Company" Debate

According to the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, private management companies have become the latest target of charter school opponents.  In a March 2012, the Foundation reported that "Charter schools not only have to run a school, they also typically have to replicate all the business and administrative services that traditional schools receive from their central office. Also, most charter schools are small and therefore don't have the economies of scale to maintain a full administrative and business office. In fact, it would be a waste of taxpayer dollars to do so. So, just like most small businesses, many charter schools hire private companies to provide payroll, accounting and other services. Since most charter schools don't receive capital funding, many also lease their facilities from private companies. This isn't crony capitalism - it's efficiency and free enterprise. In fact, traditional school systems could learn a thing or two from charter schools, especially when some districts are spending more than $1,000 per child on their central office."
 

What does the NCLB Waiver Mean for GA Schools?

In the confusion over NCLB and the rush for Georgia to escape its "narrow definitions of success", one might be compelled to ask, what will be our new measuring stick?  Well, it's called the College and Career Ready Performance Index.  (Georgia was one of only 10 states in the U.S. to be approved for the NCLB waiver.)

Below we have posted one of the best articles we could find to summarize how the waiver to NCLB will grant more flexibility in evaluating Georgia schools and how some school systems are already making changes to their daily schedules.   It's just too bad that we had to reach over to Cartersville to find a reliable news source on the subject.  Thank you Daily Tribune! 

Highlights from GA Waiver

When it comes to school choice, it's not just families in Cherokee that are looking at options. Click here to read about the surge in middle Georgia too!


Mid-state Families Consider On-Line Schools

Freedom of Speech? "Not at THIS School!"

It seems you can't work for a government school in Milwaukee unless you support unions.

"Schools were once meant to be places of 'light and air' where students could pursue truth and develop critical thinking skills.  But in too many schools, students and employees are expected to follow the left-wing orthodoxy that is being tirelessly promoted by teacher unions."

Click here for the full story...  School Contractor Fired in Milwaukee Over a Bumper Sticker!

CC School Board Speaks Out

It could not have been easy for three of Cherokee County's Board of Education members to speak out, but speak out they did. CP4Choice stands in favor of the opinions so eloquently expressed in this article and thanks the Cherokee Ledger for publishing it.

School Board Minority Speaks Out

"Message" Article Serves to Unite

The Cherokee Tribune published the following Letter to the Editor on Sunday, March 18th.  At a time where so-called parent groups are angry and shouting in the name of local control, transparency and false blame for funding woes, we give kudos to the 'Trib' for giving the voters in this county a look at the other side of the issue.

Those of us in favor of school choice are incredibly proud that our message is one of unity and community and freedom! Click below for the link:

Sending Wrong Message On School Choice

GA Public School Students Score Big!

With all the changes to the HOPE Scholarship, Georgia parents saving for college will be pleased with the latest news.  The AJC reported this weekend that Georgia has risen to No. 13 in the nation in the percentage of public school students scoring high enough on Advanced Placement exams to earn college credits. 

Click here for more: GA Students Score Big 

Would LOVE to know who put the "Politics" in PTA?

Wow!  Could never have said it better!
Thank you Mike Dudgeon for this thoughtful article.

Parents or Politics?

What Does a 12 Year Old Think About School Choice?

Why not let the children be heard??  (This letter was edited only to protect the student,teacher and school mentioned.)

"I am a student at a Charter School in Georgia. I love my school.  There are many opportunities for learning and being part of your community.  I am a 6^th grade representative. Beta club member, Future Educators of America club member and honor roll student.  One of my teachers, Mrs. Teacher, teaches in a way that just makes it easier to understand.  She teaches Science which I did not like last year.  This year it is my favorite subject because I understand it.  Many of the Charter teachers do that, not just her.  We have creative projects which I believe are great.  It helps us remember the material and it is more fun that just taking notes all the time.  I think that creativity is mandatory in a kid’s growth.  I believe education is very important, and the Charter schools offer so much more. 

At my last school I was bullied and no one cared.  I was bullied until I cried.  I was just a student in a large class and there was no time for me.  At my Charter School, that does not happen.  I am important at Charter.  My Charter School has changed not just my life, but many of my friends.  We want to come to school now.  Do you really want to send us back to schools where we do not matter? 

I want to ask all the House Representatives  if  you have ever been bullied?  Those of you who raised your hands please close your eyes and think about when you were bullied.    It is not fun and hard to concentrate on school work.  

To quote J K Rowling’s, “it is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities”. Please make the right choice for me and the children of Georgia and Vote yes for school choice.  

I am your future."

Is it About the Children or the Money?

Wonder if anyone in the local media would like to consider printing/posting the REAL story?


As our state House of Representatives grapple with the tough issues facing our failing education system, the rhetoric from the Georgia School Board Associations, and so-called professional teacher groups has sunk to a new level. Our elected leaders have been berated unscrupulously, even the ones who have reached out to our community to help us come together for the sake of our children. It’s just so sad that these leaders are being attacked for trying to do what is right for our children.

Spending the last two weeks under the gold dome fighting for school choice, I have made an important observation. Every time the opponents to the proposed charter amendment talk, it’s about the money and the funding and the cost. When the School Choice supporters talk, it’s about the children and giving a choice to families. Call me crazy, but the proof is all over that bowl of pudding!

I challenge parents to make up their own minds and not form an opinion based on half truths. The fact is, Cherokee County did not lose because a state-approved Charter School opened. Have you heard about the district FINALLY stepping up to add STEM Academies? Where are the extra furlough days and fired teachers that were promised by the Superintendent directly due to the opening of CCA? How can 800 students leaving CCSD schools cause class sizes to go up? What is fair about CC schools keeping my property tax money to educate children that are not my own?

Parents in Cherokee County should be celebrating Cherokee Charter Academy and fighting for more state-approved Charter schools. Since when did raising the bar and trying new things in education become such a bad thing, especially in a state that ranks at the bottom of the pile in education performance, but at the top for education spending??

As for Chip Rogers and other elected officials, I say a simple and very heartfelt thank you for standing up for what is right for the future of this state. 

Georgia Chamber of Commerce Supports HR1162

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce supports public charter schools and other quality options for students that
help create the educated workforce employers need to compete in our global economy. The Chamber supports a constitutional amendment to restore an alternative route for charter school approval and clarify the state’s role
in funding and governing education. The Chamber has designated HR 1162 as a scorecard issue for 2012.

Thank you Georgia Chamber for stepping up for our children!  Click on this link to read the entire document:
One Pager Charter School Amendment.pdf

Lobby Lessons Learned

We regret that the original list of contacts for our state representatives may have accidentally included personal phone numbers and e-mail addresses.  We are a grass-roots group of parents and not paid professional lobbyists.  We understand that this may have caused some confusion and acted quickly to correct our innocent error. 

We have changed the contact information and have asked all of our advocates to please use office contact information only. We hope our fearless leaders under the gold dome will accept our sincere apologies and know that the contact information we provided, although available from public information sources, was never intended to offend or upset anyone.

We continue to fight for school choice and HR1162, but now we know so much more about how to do it! 

Support HR 1162- The time to act is NOW!

Friends of Public School Choice, If you wait, it might be too late!  

Call AND e-mail your Representatives in the House and tell them how important this legislation is to you.  


Of course, we encourage you to use your own words and reasons. Below, you will find the link to an official list of Representatives. After you contact these lawmakers, PLEASE send this link to 10 of your friends and family around the state and ask them to please do the same. Every e-mail and every phone call MATTERS!

E-Mail (Please be brief and please include SUPPORT HR1162 in the SUBJECT LINE!) "I am contacting you to ask for your support of HR 1162. This resolution is before you because of the 2011 GA Supreme Court ruling against an alternate authorization entity for Charter Schools.  This ruling forces all charter schools to apply through their local school districts for approval, with no appeal process. If past experience is any indicator, this puts the long term viability of charter schools in this state in serious jeopardy. If this issue it not resolved now it is highly likely that the entire charter system will be systematically eliminated in the next 5 years. 

The evidence is clear…in the last month local districts have tried to close 2 very high preforming and successful charter schools. Your vote isn’t just about Cherokee County or Fulton County (or the county they are from) it’s about the future of the state of Georgia.
In fact this issue is so critical to our great state that the Georgia Chamber of Commerce has declared HR1162 a 'critical issue' for their agenda this year and have indicated they plan to score legislators on their support for the amendment. School choice is the right thing for the children of Georgia." 

Calling Script Hi I’m calling to ask (?) to support HR 1162, we need his support for the future of Georgia schools and the future of Georgia’s economy.

Link to House Members Contact List

WHY HR 1162 is SO IMPORTANT!

The future of Charter Schools in Georgia WILL be decided in the Legislative session THIS WEEK!  The time is NOW to make our state lawmakers understand that we require a choice!  The powerful PTA, Teachers Organizations and the School Board Associations want to give all the decision making power to the local school boards to approve Charter Schools. Why?  POWER AND MONEY!  If these Boards would act responsibly, we would not need a Constitutional Amendment!   In 2008, 25 of 26 start-up Charter School petitions were denied by local boards.  

HR 1162 is THE only way to save Charter Schools, but to get it to the voters in November, we need 2/3 house and senate approval  This is an uphill battle! WE MUST ACT NOW! 

PLEASE KNOW.  If this issue it not resolved now, it is highly likely that the entire charter system will be systematically eliminated in the next 5 years. The evidence is clear…in the last month local Atlanta districts have tried to close two very high preforming and successful charter schools. For the charter schools that are in existence under special school standing, non-passage of this amendment will effectively write a termination notice. 

For those who are listed as "district school"s operating autonomously from the district, as charter law expects, be on notice, if Ivy Prep and Fulton Science Academy aren’t safe…no one is.

CALL TO ACTION! From the C.E.G.

Please click the link below for Call to Action from the Center for an Educated Georgia
ACTION ALERT! CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR!

Get Educated with CNN's "School Choice Primer"

According to CNN's 'School's of Thought' web site, school choice is a multi-faceted concept that encompasses several education options including the ability to enroll a student in a charter school, online school, home school or to receive school vouchers.  If you've got five minutes, here's a primer that will help break it down for you.

5 Minute Primer:School Choice

Support Grows for HR 1162

We are calling on all citizens in Cherokee County to support a resolution introduced to the GA House of Representatives this week- HR 1162.

This is a bi-partisan RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Georgia so as to clarify the authority of the state to establish state-wide education policy; to restate the authority of the General Assembly to create special schools; to delineate types of schools that the General Assembly may authorize and clarify funding authority; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Kyle Wingfield gets it right again.. Pass Charter Schools Amendment

"Trigger Act" Proposed in House

What a great last week in the new Legislative Session! Finally, we have a proposed HB that gives some power to the parents.

HB 731: Parent Trigger Act - A majority of parents at a specially called meeting could petition the local school board to convert the school to a charter. The school must have not made AYP for two years in the same subject, been in existence for 10 years or longer, have lost accreditation or been placed on the step immediately preceding the loss of accreditation.

Introduced by: Representatives Lindsey of the 54th, Ashe of the 56th, Setzler of the 35th, Hamilton of the 23rd and Coleman of the 97th

Cp4Choice would very much like to see the language of this bill be altered so as to provide for less stringent requirements for the parents to make such a petition.  Why not write your representative and ask for their support of this bill?