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","provider_url":"https://www.facebook.com","_id":"https://www.facebook.com/RockdaleSchools/posts/5007368075966167&locale=en_US","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":1650754585822,"provider_name":"Facebook","type":"facebook-post","version":"1.0","type":"oembed_response","_id":"GJ2TFEMXORCSBCOXEMYA5HQTPI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650733098316,"type":"text","content":"Clear bag policies have become more common at music festivals, sporting events and other large gatherings. Mercedes-Benz Stadium requires clear bags, and Atlanta Public Schools has a similar policy for spectators at its athletic venues.","_id":"LOKC3OFRPNCSLJ6M6XBBE5SIP4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650746259299,"type":"text","content":"Districts have turned to clear backpacks as a safety measure since the 1990s, but the policies have often met opposition from families, safety experts and students.","_id":"BQGFACBK7JCYTBWRR6DX2Q3RIE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650746259300,"type":"text","content":"Students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, protested the implementation of clear backpacks after the 2018 mass shooting at their school, arguing the bags infringed on privacy without making the school safer.","_id":"S2WJ2FMZU5CPFP7RIJ7QBZAXLE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650746259301,"type":"text","content":"Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina, one of the largest districts in the country, spent $440,000 on clear backpacks as part of a larger school safety plan. However, the backpack plan is on hold.","_id":"N6KECCGMP5AMHPWQAXEM2N4LZQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650746371646,"type":"text","content":"The Charlotte Observer reported the district halted distribution of the backpacks after officials found that most of the items had a warning label about the possible presence of cancer-causing chemicals. The label was the result of a requirement for items that are also sold in California, which has a state law that manufacturers must have a label on products that use certain chemicals."],"display_date":"2022-04-23T23:10:59.733Z","headlines":"basic":"Rockdale district buys 16,500 clear backpacks in student safety effort","first_publish_date":"2022-04-23T23:10:59.733Z","taxonomy":{"sections":["path":"/education","parent":"default":"https://www.ajc.com/","_website":"ajc","parent_id":"https://www.ajc.com/","name":"Education","description":"School and education news from metro Atlanta and Georgia from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. including Atlanta Georgia schools: Atlanta, Gwinnett County Schools, Cobb County, DeKalb, Fulton, Clayton, Buford, Marietta, Decatur, city of Atlanta schools","_id":"/education","additional_properties":"original":"parent":"AmpNav":"https://www.ajc.com/","default":"https://www.ajc.com/","BottomNav":null,"TopNavRedesign":null,"SectionMap":"https://www.ajc.com/","MainMenuRedesign2021":"/news","TopNav":null,"ComposerNav":"https://www.ajc.com/","site":"section_comments_enabled":"Yes","site_description":"School and education news from metro Atlanta and Georgia from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. including Atlanta Georgia schools: Atlanta, Gwinnett County Schools, Cobb County, DeKalb, Fulton, Clayton, Buford, Marietta, Decatur, city of Atlanta schools","site_title":"Atlanta Schools: Education and School News","navigation":"nav_title":"Education","inactive":false,"node_type":"section","_website":"ajc","name":"Education","_id":"/education","ancestors":"TopNavRedesign":[],"SectionMap":["https://www.ajc.com/"],"MainMenuRedesign2021":["https://www.ajc.com/","/news"],"TopNav":[],"order":"AmpNav":1014,"default":1014,"SectionMap":1009,"MainMenuRedesign2021":2006,"ComposerNav":1039,"_website_section_id":"ajc./education","type":"section","version":"0.6.0","path":"/news","parent":"default":"https://www.ajc.com/","_website":"ajc","parent_id":"https://www.ajc.com/","name":"News","description":"Atlanta Georgia News main page: Breaking News, Atlanta Weather Forecast, Crime, Politics, GA Schools, Local Articles - Atlanta Journal-Constitution","_id":"/news","additional_properties":"original":"parent":"AmpNav":"https://www.ajc.com/","default":"https://www.ajc.com/","BottomNav":null,"TopNavRedesign":null,"SectionMap":"https://www.ajc.com/","LoggedOutMenu":null,"MainMenuRedesign2021":"https://www.ajc.com/","TopNav":null,"TopicsBar":null,"ComposerNav":"https://www.ajc.com/","site":"site_url":"/news/","section_comments_enabled":"Yes","site_description":"Atlanta Georgia News main page: Breaking News, Atlanta Weather Forecast, Crime, Politics, GA Schools, Local Articles - Atlanta Journal-Constitution","site_title":"Atlanta GA News ,"navigation":"nav_title":"News","inactive":false,"node_type":"section","_website":"ajc","name":"News","Sponsor":"sponsor_url_open_new_tab":"true","sponsor_desktop_banner":"","sponsor_mobile_banner":"","sponsor_url":"","_id":"/news","ancestors":"AmpNav":["https://www.ajc.com/"],"default":["https://www.ajc.com/"],"BottomNav":[],"TopNavRedesign":[],"SectionMap":["https://www.ajc.com/"],"LoggedOutMenu":[],"MainMenuRedesign2021":["https://www.ajc.com/"],"TopicsBar":[],"order":"AmpNav":1001,"default":1001,"SectionMap":1019,"MainMenuRedesign2021":1002,"ComposerNav":1136,"_website_section_id":"ajc./news","type":"section","version":"0.6.0"],"primary_section":"path":"/education","name":"Education","tags":["text":"breaking-news.ajc","text":"publicsafety.ajc","text":"atlanta-now","text":"teamjennifer","text":"news.naviga","text":"school-news.ajc","text":"rockdale county"]},"type":"story","last_updated_date":"2022-04-28T07:00:46.381Z","promo_items":"basic":"credits":"by":["name":"HYOSUB SHIN / AJC","type":"author","byline":"HYOSUB SHIN / AJC","slug":"hyosub-shin-ajc"],"subtitle":"AJC Photos of the Week, July-15-21, 2017","width":1700,"caption":"A child poses with a clear backpack at a school supply distribution event. Starting next school year, Rockdale County Public Schools will require all students to use clear backpacks as a safety measure in its buildings. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM","type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/S6TAXLQ25XSCE5REPPUPHC4EPA.jpg","height":1177,"canonical_url":"/education/rockdale-district-buys-16500-clear-backpacks-in-student-safety-effort/2ZKRMAA6S5CXVJQHMK2XD5F6YE/","_id":"2ZKRMAA6S5CXVJQHMK2XD5F6YE"},{"content_elements":["_id":"GVXP2XGARJCBZN4TTZM5IEJB6E","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1638545432600,"type":"text","content":"More than a dozen parents on Thursday asked the Cobb County Board of Education to keep its dual language immersion program intact.","_id":"OYPXU5QJCJGZRJRKQVBUNYRHIU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650588889497,"type":"text","content":"The program allows students as young as kindergartners to spend half their day learning in English and half learning in a foreign language. Some families recently received emails from their schools that the program would no longer be offered to new students.","_id":"PIUNW44RVNC47I3DXGD4CKCZ4M","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650635769255,"type":"text","content":"Of the 11 elementary schools that offered the program last year, only five will continue accepting new students in the upcoming school year. The program will be added to an additional middle school.","_id":"KKUNRUCDGFGW3F6DJHEAD7URKY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650635769256,"type":"text","content":"“How is canceling this program of benefit to our students?” asked the parent of a kindergarten student. He values the program for his daughter “not only for the opportunity to learn a second language but, more importantly, to learn in another language.”","_id":"4PV2A7W5VJET3IOYWKQ6C7O6RQ","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":"P6B6QR6UUNENFLCOBQ6V7NBYEM","type":"interstitial_link","content":"Milestones tests mark critical pandemic moment for Georgia students","url":"https://www.ajc.com/education/milestones-tests-mark-critical-pandemic-moment-for-georgia-students/CGK3XW47DVGILF3V5JKLSNAA5U/","_id":"TWQ4M7FVERAOPHNHRCI44UB4HM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650588889499,"type":"text","content":"Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said the change was needed “so we can continue the focus on teaching and learning for all of our students.” He said it’s also been increasingly difficult to staff the bilingual teaching positions.","_id":"QP5GI337S5DLBHX5NIRMHEPHCM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650635769259,"type":"text","content":"“When data is present that indicates students are not attaining higher levels of academic success — or even worse, performing at lower levels than students not in the specific program — modifications must be made,” he said.","_id":"TWQ4M7FVERAOPHNHRCI44UB4HM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650588889499,"type":"text","content":"Ragsdale did not provide data about the achievement of students in the program, but said there would be a presentation on the topic at a future board meeting. He added that ensuring elementary students can read on grade level is the district’s highest priority.","_id":"BUSWPVXXUNFWVILMHMBTCKFKYA","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":"QL3V3QVWZFGUHNQN6YMZXCKAME","type":"interstitial_link","content":"More stories about Cobb County Public Schools","url":"https://www.ajc.com/staff/cassidy-alexander/","_id":"GK5ENVM7IBHDBBFBIKHXDLEQDI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650588889508,"type":"text","content":"The dual language immersion program began in 2015 in Cobb. Nearby districts such as Gwinnett County Public Schools and Marietta City Schools offer similar programs.","_id":"XPEHFSTNNJD2NF7B54YVIEEPTI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650635769263,"type":"text","content":"Ragsdale said five elementary schools will continue to accept incoming kindergartners: Dowell, Mableton, Nickajack, Russell and Smyrna. The remaining schools will not accept new students but will continue to offer the program to currently enrolled students.","_id":"62JT6GHMYRF67IQ37MDBNRLUPE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650588889507,"type":"text","content":"Campbell Middle is the only middle school that currently offers the program. Floyd Middle will add it. Families currently in the program who believed it would be expanded to more middle schools will have a chance to opt into the existing programs as space allows.","_id":"WGECTVYCTZDNTFB3WHW67AKYGI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650635769265,"type":"text","content":"JoAnne Miranda told the board the program has been a great experience for her two children.","_id":"MCILJWA3MJFO5MAJEMURZ5RX5I","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650635769266,"type":"text","content":"“My children speak Spanish with pride,” she said.","_id":"BPIO2DS6CZE4FB57MGEY2TWPIE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650635769267,"type":"text","content":"
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"],"display_date":"2022-04-23T13:30:00Z","headlines":"basic":"Cobb to phase out dual language immersion program at some schools","first_publish_date":"2022-04-23T13:30:00.747Z","taxonomy":{"sections":["path":"/education","parent":"default":"https://www.ajc.com/","_website":"ajc","parent_id":"https://www.ajc.com/","name":"Education","description":"School and education news from metro Atlanta and Georgia from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. including Atlanta Georgia schools: Atlanta, Gwinnett County Schools, Cobb County, DeKalb, Fulton, Clayton, Buford, Marietta, Decatur, city of Atlanta schools","_id":"/education","additional_properties":"original":"parent":"AmpNav":"https://www.ajc.com/","default":"https://www.ajc.com/","BottomNav":null,"TopNavRedesign":null,"SectionMap":"https://www.ajc.com/","MainMenuRedesign2021":"/news","TopNav":null,"ComposerNav":"https://www.ajc.com/","site":"section_comments_enabled":"Yes","site_description":"School and education news from metro Atlanta and Georgia from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. including Atlanta Georgia schools: Atlanta, Gwinnett County Schools, Cobb County, DeKalb, Fulton, Clayton, Buford, Marietta, Decatur, city of Atlanta schools","site_title":"Atlanta Schools: Education and School News","navigation":"nav_title":"Education","inactive":false,"node_type":"section","_website":"ajc","name":"Education","_id":"/education","ancestors":"TopNavRedesign":[],"SectionMap":["https://www.ajc.com/"],"MainMenuRedesign2021":["https://www.ajc.com/","/news"],"TopNav":[],"order":"AmpNav":1014,"default":1014,"SectionMap":1009,"MainMenuRedesign2021":2006,"ComposerNav":1038,"_website_section_id":"ajc./education","type":"section","version":"0.6.0","path":"/news","parent":"default":"https://www.ajc.com/","_website":"ajc","parent_id":"https://www.ajc.com/","name":"News","description":"Atlanta Georgia News main page: Breaking News, Atlanta Weather Forecast, Crime, Politics, GA Schools, Local Articles - Atlanta Journal-Constitution","_id":"/news","additional_properties":"original":"parent":"AmpNav":"https://www.ajc.com/","default":"https://www.ajc.com/","BottomNav":null,"TopNavRedesign":null,"SectionMap":"https://www.ajc.com/","LoggedOutMenu":null,"MainMenuRedesign2021":"https://www.ajc.com/","TopNav":null,"TopicsBar":null,"ComposerNav":"https://www.ajc.com/","site": Top News Page","navigation":"nav_title":"News","inactive":false,"node_type":"section","_website":"ajc","name":"News","Sponsor":"sponsor_url_open_new_tab":"true","sponsor_desktop_banner":"","sponsor_mobile_banner":"","sponsor_url":"","_id":"/news","ancestors":"AmpNav":["https://www.ajc.com/"],"default":["https://www.ajc.com/"],"BottomNav":[],"TopNavRedesign":[],"SectionMap":["https://www.ajc.com/"],"LoggedOutMenu":[],"MainMenuRedesign2021":["https://www.ajc.com/"],"TopicsBar":[],"order":"AmpNav":1001,"default":1001,"SectionMap":1019,"MainMenuRedesign2021":1002,"ComposerNav":1135,"_website_section_id":"ajc./news","type":"section","version":"0.6.0","path":"/neighborhoods/cobb","parent":"default":"/neighborhoods","_website":"ajc","parent_id":"/neighborhoods","name":"Cobb County","description":"Local news for Cobb County Ga. neighborhoods, including breaking news, Cobb County schools, high school sports, crime, events, development and land use. 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(AJC file photo)","type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/SA77DB2VY5JJQ5Y64CCGZM47IQ.jpg","height":401,"canonical_url":"/education/cobb-to-phase-out-dual-language-immersion-program-at-some-schools/65KHOTP36NAZNCZAXYWKCVNYMA/","_id":"65KHOTP36NAZNCZAXYWKCVNYMA"},{"content_elements":["_id":"ZLDERHFSGJAE5OM7O5T3YABXLA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650483640995,"type":"text","content":"Sierra Pape was sitting near a train station during a spring break trip when her phone lit up with a news alert.","_id":"GA6DHY77VFF6HGZG3JVJC63CJU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650483640996,"type":"text","content":"The 14-year-old freshman at Atlanta’s Midtown High School had been following the war in Ukraine. The news story jarred her: A missile attack had killed more than 50 people at a crowded Ukrainian train station.","_id":"O62GMMGV25ENPKSY2LWN2NMNAE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650633176010,"type":"text","content":"“That was just a big moment for me,” Sierra said of the April 8 attack. “It made me realize how vulnerable the people in Ukraine truly are.”","_id":"BXU4JYN3L5F4VMTBXYCR6D3QQY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650483640998,"type":"text","content":"She wanted to do something to honor the victims and show support for the refugees. A group of friends and fellow Midtown students were eager to help.","_id":"2F6U5FUZUBEJRA7DGRHTAPR3FI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650483640999,"type":"text","content":"At 3 p.m. Sunday, the teens will hold a tribute event at the Midtown MARTA station on 10th Street, just a mile west of their high school. All are welcome.","subtype":"instagram","referent":"referent_properties":"additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":1650648570330,"provider":"https://api.instagram.com/oembed?url=","service":"oembed","id":"https://www.instagram.com/p/Ccea_Wquell/","type":"instagram","_id":"743SDTELFBHDXEY2IGKOJEKQJY","raw_oembed":"author_name":"atlantastudentsforukraine","width":658,"thumbnail_width":640,"html":"

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n","provider_url":"https://www.instagram.com/","_id":"https://www.instagram.com/p/Ccea_Wquell/","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":1650648570330,"provider_name":"Instagram","type":"instagram","thumbnail_url":"https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/278721757_160542829691496_2265112612261628277_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_p640x640_sh0.08&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=100&_nc_ohc=-EPvYNshmeMAX-bSLJ7&edm=AMO9-JQAAAAA&ccb=7-4&oh=00_AT-C6OGTtcmI4JWcFs39LSLegmvtporqsODz3poFJR24fA&oe=62659C95&_nc_sid=b9f2ee","version":"1.0","thumbnail_height":758,"type":"oembed_response","_id":"LUK6MRRHARCYJEW2Y37BRKY7B4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650484020362,"type":"text","content":"The students set out bins in their high school hallways and a nearby bakery with the goal of collecting 148 pairs of shoes from classmates, neighbors, dance studios and churches.","_id":"NPUG56WCK5H7XNIJKURJ3ZGIGM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650483641001,"type":"text","content":"The shoes will be displayed in the Atlanta train station to symbolize each Ukrainian killed or wounded in the attack. Afterward, the footwear will be donated to a charity that will give them to needy men, women and children in Atlanta.","_id":"OJWZJA7EJBBWNKT5GDV4M4HHFI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650483641002,"type":"text","content":"School orchestra members will play the “State Anthem of Ukraine.” They’ll hold a moment of silence, and speakers will talk about relief efforts and ways to support the people of Ukraine. A Midtown High School sophomore who was born in the Ukraine also will speak.","_id":"7YDLYFZHDZDU5JWEGX3R3TY5VY","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":"47BBQUDUPJFPJJDT3SOYCL4J7E","type":"interstitial_link","content":"Atlanta’s Midtown High School unveils new logos after Grady name change","url":"https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/atlantas-midtown-high-school-unveils-new-logos-after-grady-name-change/4QGZRTN4YNGCHLDF3IHAMVQBH4/","_id":"5NLD7RIORZCVLHPWMXPNRWSDVY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650483641003,"type":"text","content":"“As students, we don’t really know how to help in situations like this directly,” Sierra said. “The hope for this is that it gives an avenue for people our age to get involved in this issue.”","_id":"5PS5H7GIQZGIVLXAQ4DWKYJWEQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650483641004,"type":"text","content":"MARTA spokeswoman Stephany Fisher said the transit agency is pleased to be working with the students.","_id":"XZWKMVOAGJDX3FTGGDKWWDWTYM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650483641005,"type":"text","content":"Charlotte Keenan, a 15-year-old Midtown High School freshman, is Sierra’s debate partner and a member of the committee organizing the event. As part of their work on the debate team, she and Sierra researched the threat Russia posed and NATO’s role in the region.","_id":"LCWGVHCUFBF6PL3JZEFCGRESTU","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":"PI5ZYFSFXVFSJLVRIQO7QV6Q4E","type":"interstitial_link","content":"More stories about Atlanta Public Schools","url":"https://www.ajc.com/staff/vanessa-mccray/","_id":"Q6ZQKE6RTZF2PM5G5SL7Y7O2UA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650483641006,"type":"text","content":"The images and stories from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine hit home.","_id":"YWJUFFSMO5C6TCGEQQKGO3LCZQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650483641007,"type":"text","content":"“It’s just crazy to think that something could happen in something so normal or something so pedestrian as a train station,” Charlotte said. “I know a lot of students have come up to me and said they weren’t aware of the missile hitting the train station before we started raising awareness.”","_id":"ZBYNTQWGFJGQZPTHL2ABPKBAWI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650549122365,"type":"text","content":"She hopes the shoes will remind people of the individual toll of war.","_id":"ZWF2OU2ULJFXVFIZVFJPAZQK3I","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650549122366,"type":"text","content":"“We probably won’t get two pairs of the exact same. 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He previously taught math.","subtype":"twitter","referent":"referent_properties":"additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":1650679101005,"provider":"https://publish.twitter.com/oembed?url=","service":"oembed","id":"https://twitter.com/dan_a_sims/status/1517289119038197761","type":"twitter","_id":"QFONWMCU2BA3BHSIF6TBWEPZ5E","raw_oembed":"author_name":"Dan Sims","cache_age":"3153600000","provider_url":"https://twitter.com","type":"twitter","version":"1.0","url":"https://twitter.com/dan_a_sims/status/1517289119038197761","author_url":"https://twitter.com/dan_a_sims","width":550,"html":"

I am incredibly grateful to the Bibb County Board of Education for selecting me as sole finalist for Superintendent of the Bibb County Public School System! We will do great things together for our students and families! Just wait! @DrLisaHerring @apsupdate @Williams_APS pic.twitter.com/uC6LPfxf4T

— Dan Sims (@dan_a_sims) April 21, 2022

nn","_id":"https://twitter.com/dan_a_sims/status/1517289119038197761","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":1650679101005,"provider_name":"Twitter","height":null,"type":"oembed_response","_id":"BQXYQIJCVRBAHBAUYNDGAA5UCY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650639849185,"type":"text","content":"In a post on Twitter, Sims said he’s grateful to be selected for the Bibb County job.","_id":"UALCZ2BZEZE4XLV6N7CXVNO5QI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650639849186,"type":"text","content":"“We will do great things together for our students and families! Just wait!” he wrote.","_id":"P7GPRZNOBNCSDDG4VN4HOBXTZM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650639849187,"type":"text","content":"Sims received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctor of education degrees from Georgia State University.","_id":"BC4IG7NNYVAMFN4W2ORK3NXHCM","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":"OMMWIKI7ZRGEZPHTL2B66KRH7Q","type":"interstitial_link","content":"More stories about Atlanta Public Schools","url":"https://www.ajc.com/staff/vanessa-mccray/","_id":"7Q2S3N2WQFD65JG7DUQHB5WDHA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650639849188,"type":"text","content":"Bibb County officials said the board received 33 applications for the job, about half of which were from in-state candidates.","_id":"UZ536IHZBFAIRGMAKLJ5BS6TPE","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650639849189,"type":"text","content":"“I am confident in our decision to follow the process and identify a superintendent who will be a strong leader for our district and guide the work necessary to help students excel and become model citizens,” said board president Thelma D. 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TEAGLE/AJC FILE PHOTO)","type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/VET4HDG7P5ASVBH7ZEZRQWMSBA.JPG","height":1282,"canonical_url":"/education/atlanta-public-schools-administrator-picked-as-next-bibb-county-chief/HIPYSYOIDRDIDDNSKJ5IOB53WY/","_id":"HIPYSYOIDRDIDDNSKJ5IOB53WY"},{"content_elements":["_id":"OZBHERVLSBCZBDNQYPCLH2ZAPA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650336606183,"type":"text","content":"Five challengers aim to topple Georgia’s two-term state school superintendent and seize control of the Department of Education during a turbulent time for teachers.","_id":"5VDQOCHWA5BKVPBLZ42BWU4OME","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650336606184,"type":"text","content":"Richard Woods, a Republican, has held the office for eight years and wants another four. He will face predecessor John Barge in the May primary. Four Democratic candidates are also vying for the position.","_id":"4G4EI6PX5ZEBRJTM7KWQ72JWXM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650336606185,"type":"text","content":"Most of the candidates are talking about the culture war issues that have dominated educational policy recently. Book banning, critical race theory, mask mandates and other controversial school topics addressed during the legislative session.","_id":"NO7LKDGYSBFTRGS5Y3KFTRCVKE","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":"WRS4FVWA2VCVDKURJ73DDPHX44","type":"interstitial_link","content":"Georgia officials sending team to Druid Hills High after student video","url":"https://www.ajc.com/education/georgia-officials-sending-team-to-druid-hills-high-after-student-video/NZUXK3NEQ5HGTNO6JQHSILRYIM/","_id":"3TO6RWDOVFDULOXNUPORFYYHQU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650336606186,"type":"text","content":"But several of the issues these candidates are talking about are timeless, such as public school funding, poor academic outcomes and a shrinking teacher pool.","_id":"TXFNJJHK5FBRXA62RBPH6TXJEY","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650336606187,"type":"text","content":"Woods, a former teacher and school administrator from rural Georgia, supported GOP bills that would limit how teachers discuss race, let sports associations decide on transgender student participation, amend the process for removing books and affirm rights to see instructional materials. He said his education department’s implementation will ensure uniformity.","_id":"HNLCNOELLRCHJITBLQZ7OCMI4U","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650336606188,"type":"text","content":"“It will put in place processes that will unite us as a state so it’s not so much Wild West out there,” Woods said.","_id":"NAA4C4UTYNE75FLHL77SERNMGA","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650336606189,"type":"text","content":"Barge, the other Republican in the race who opted to run for governor rather than reelection in 2014, says the Legislature didn’t go far enough. He said he wants his old job back because of parent allegations about obscene materials in schools and because of transgender policies.","_id":"MCV7SWKN7VFH7I3IYMIQA36RYM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650336606190,"type":"text","content":"“Who is going to make a stand to make sure that children are being educated and not indoctrinated?” he asked.","_id":"OIG7TDSQFFB6NKTXOJNKBRUNLM","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":"V5IAS6WDORFT7P5MHIPMOUYIVQ","type":"interstitial_link","content":"Education was often Georgia lawmakers’ wedge issue this legislative session","url":"https://www.ajc.com/education/education-often-georgia-lawmakers-wedge-issue-this-legislative-session/L7D4LMDRVJD5LNP6HDUAMSBR3E/","_id":"4XZOLVILP5GJXK4XVIWG24VQOI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650338551835,"type":"text","content":"GOP lawmakers saw the potential of these issues last year. The Georgia General Assembly convened two months after Glenn Youngkin won the Virginia governor’s office by courting parents opposed to COVID-19 safety measures, critical race theory and school books they deemed obscene.","_id":"WFU4RHL5BREPZGGLIZQFUGQR2M","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650336606193,"type":"text","content":"Atlanta lawyer Currey Hitchens and Dr. Jaha Howard, a pediatric dentist elected to the Cobb County school board, said they were inspired to run, in part, in reaction to this political movement.","_id":"DI5V3JK7YZEHTMHRV363TRITZM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650336606194,"type":"text","content":"Hitchens, who recently left the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, said she read a book parents have attempted to ban from schools. “It’s about police violence against teenage kids, but that’s something that happens,” she said. “Things that happen are sometimes divisive but we still have to learn about them.”","_id":"34VELGYZFFHWPJL4UO7Z2AXZBM","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650470392406,"type":"text","content":"She was referring to adopted state legislation that defines nine “divisive concepts” prohibited in classrooms. They involve generalizations, like saying one race is inherently superior or America is fundamentally racist.","_id":"FZ6SL3JNJRFN7H7HLPGEAASR34","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650336606195,"type":"text","content":"Howard said Woods follows his party’s lead. Howard said he would push for more funding and call attention to problems like low literacy rates.","_id":"D6IWRRHAMVH4NJ55X7ECKKLGZI","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650336606196,"type":"text","content":"“So here we have somebody who’s touting all this educational experience, but when you get into a room of political sharks, he’s folding like a lawn chair,” Howard said.","_id":"KJIEBJZHTBAPBPTXKIYHESN7W4","additional_properties":"comments":[],"_id":"TKUOEERMS5GRZJAFYBMGUKZM6M","type":"interstitial_link","content":"More stories about Georgia schools","url":"https://www.ajc.com/staff/ty-tagami/","_id":"KPQ4CZODGZB65HJFLWTC4FRU7Y","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650338551841,"type":"text","content":"Alisha Thomas Searcy, a former Democratic state representative from Austell and charter school operator, ran for state superintendent eight years ago. She said she was inspired to run this time in part by “the ugliness of politics.” But she was more interested in school funding and teacher recruitment and retention. She thinks the state should be doing more to innovate.","_id":"QSWEV47HGBGL5FOXYIFP4OJ2NQ","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650336606198,"type":"text","content":"“The pandemic should have been an opportunity to rethink, reimagine public education, and it appears that the desire is just to go back to quote-unquote normal,” Thomas Searcy said.","_id":"MXXZVUGKIFHQ3OXNS5I5ZFDKIU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650336606199,"type":"text","content":"James Morrow Jr. coaches soccer and flag football in a Clayton County high school. The former social studies teacher is concerned about student violence and said schools need more police officers and stricter discipline.","_id":"MXXZVUGKIFHQ3OXNS5I5ZFDKIU","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650336606199,"type":"text","content":"“We’ve got to take drastic measures to get it done,” Morrow said. “Because we’re going to lose a lot of these kids, man, because they’re just pushing them through. They barely can read.”","_id":"2EYELJE4MVCBRN4A4VNBMKUTW4","additional_properties":"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1650324161509,"type":"text","content":"
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