THE LEGISLATIVE POLICY MAKING

PROCESSBY: SONYA RENEE DANIELLY

HOUSE BILL 964

WHAT IS IT???

House Bill (HB) 964 Overview

HB 964 was introduced in the 2014 Georgia general assembly by Representative Edward Lindsey. This bill was created, to provide more options for students who live in failing school districts by expanding the implementation of more charter schools in the state of Georgia. House bill 964 (2014) was introduced by Rep. Edward Lindsey on February7, 2014. On February 10, 2014, HB 964 was first read in the house, followed by a second read on the next business day. In an effort to expand Georgia Charter schools beyond the normal scope of being in residential communities, county districts, or theme based curriculums HB 964 was formulated. Another goal of HB 964 was to create state charter schools that would be opened in local business districts, and the work places of different professionals. As a result of HB 964 priorities for admission would shift to employers and employees children, as opposed to random selection via lottery drawings.

B 964, is an actual amendment to O.C.G.A. Title 20 Chapter 2 Article 31 A. (The Charter School Act of 1998), which initially introduced a performance contract between the local school board, and state board officials to form a Charter between the two relationships. The goals of HB 964 are to promote business partnerships in education, to prevent schools and classrooms from being over crowded, and to prevent the high cost of educational construction.

Problem Definition Access to a quality education should not just be limited to children who are wealthy. A quality education can be defined as one that provides basic skills in reading, and math, literacy, and proficiency which is assessed and mastered, a safe learning environment, and the appropriate tools that are needed on a day to day basis (Unicef 2014). Failing schools should offer options such as, charter school transfers, private school vouchers, or tutoring of some sort to assist students in succeeding academically. A failing school is defined as a low achieving school under most evaluation systems (Downey, D., Hippel, P., Hughes, M. 2008). Failing schools can be defined by such things as low test scores on standardized assessments, or even low graduation rates among high school students.

Low test scores can be a huge indicating factor for school systems throughout the United States. Public school administered test such as the CRCT, High School Graduation Test, and end of course test (EOCT) are all used to measure how much a child has either progressed or not academically. A certain level of academic skills are essential as they will be needed throughout one’s life, and in our economy, and No Child Left Behind (NCLB) was put into place to hold schools accountable for their students proficiency(2008).

STATE SENATOR VALENCIA SEAY (DISTRICT 34) AND MY FAMILY

State Senator Valencia Seay is a retired banker in the state of Georgia. She represents district 34 in the Clayton and Fayette County areas. She defined the problem of HB 964 as discriminatory. She firmly believes that charter school education is a derivative form of segregation because after it was ruled to cease, private schools were formulated to continue in this discriminatory formation. She stated in our interview, that while she believes that every child should have access to a quality education, it should not be deducted from the twelve million dollar budget that is used to service public school funding each year. State Senator Seay really values education, but she believes that Georgia must first determine which methods of education are effective and then should therefore follow this particular direction. According to State Senator Valencia Seay, Governor Nathan Deal only recently attempted to restore the proper funding that is needed for the education system here in Georgia!

HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE GLANTON DISTRICT #75

With/My President… Baraack Obama!!!

REPRESENTATIVE MIKE GLANTONS PERSPECTIVE!!!Representative Mike Glanton serves in the Jonesboro area which is district (75) in Clayton County and he has been in office since January of 2007. He agrees with Representative Edward Lindsey about the defined problem of limited access to a quality education. Representative Mike Glanton believes that many schools in the state of Georgia are failing our children, and he stated that a greater level of accountability needs to be implemented. He is a supporter of charter schools and has been since they were first introduced. He stated adamantly, that a good education should not be given to only those who can afford it. He believes that we must globally prepare our students to compete with children from all over the world academically and from a professionally.

SONYA’S PERSPECTIVE???A quality education is essential, and must be made accessible to all of humanity. Law makers and educators should be willing to work with parents to ensure that a good education is provided from grades k-12. Access to a quality education should not just be limited to children who are financially stable. Rather, parents should be provided with a choice of alternative education especially if their district schools are acknowledged as failing schools.

Social justice will be depicted from HB 964 if it is made fairly accessible to all parties regardless of your career affiliation or your personal bank account. My values are that equality should be promoted no matter who you are or where you come from. I disagree with the poor or disadvantaged being discriminated against, and I believe that our educational system has a lot of flaws that should be enhanced! The policy making process was a bit long and dried out to me, yet it was a very educational and hands on one for me as well. I was not aware that we could speak directly to elected officials and make such an impact on how they formulate or remove certain laws. Although this process was required as a social work project, I am grateful, that I had to leave my comfort zone of not being knowledgeable, and I am much more confident about the political process as a result!

The end!!!

References Belfiore, P. J., Auld, R., & Lee, D. L. (2005).The disconnect of poor-urban education: Equal access and a pedagogy of risk taking. Psychology in the Schools, 42(8), 855-863. doi:10.1002/pits.20116 Downey, D. B., von Hippel, P.,T., & Hughes, M. (2008). Are 'failing' schools really failing? using seasonal comparison to evaluate school effectiveness. Sociology of Education, 81(3), 242-270. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.gsu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/61677487?accountid=11226

Ediger, Marlow. "What Makes For Failing Schools?" Journal of Instructional Psychology 31.2 (2004): 170-174. Psych info. Web. 19 Apr. 2014

http://www.gacharters.org/newsroom/faq/

https://scsc.georgia.gov/sites/scsc.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/SCSC-Meeting-Minutes-February%202014.pdf