Keep Georgia Schools Local Campaign Vote NO on Amendment #1 Stop School Takeover (OSD)

Opportunity School District Background February 2015 the Georgia Legislature approves a statewide “Opportunity School District (OSD)” to manage low-performing schools across the state. They also authorize a constitutional amendment on the 2016 election ballot for the OSD creation. These schools, selected solely on the basis of the state’s College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI score), would be removed from local authority and placed in the hands of an appointed state-level superintendent.

Opportunity School District Background Election Day Ballot Language Amendment #1: provides greater flexibility and state accountability to fix failing schools through increasing community involvement.  Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow the state to intervene in chronically failing public schools in order to improve student performance? ( ) Yes ( ) No

Opportunity School District Background Ballot Language’s TRUE Meaning Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow an appointee of the Governor to take over local school operation, buildings, and control of all federal, state, and local funding if a school has low scores on standardized tests or for any other reason a future legislature may allow?” ( ) Yes ( ) No

How and when does the take over work? The OSD Broken Down How and when does the take over work? Schools will be added to the list as early as Jan. 1, 2017. Once selected a school remains in the OSD for at least 5 consecutive years. If a school earns a rating above 60 on the CCRPI for 3 consecutive years it will be released. A school can remain in the OSD for up to 10 years.

Why is defeating the takeover critical? 1. The new OSD superintendent has the power to Close down any school Reorganize staff, fire and replace teachers and principals Transfer any schools to a charter school. 2. Parents and educators will lose their voice in local school affairs. There is no supporting evidence or data that OSD will be successful – efforts in Louisiana, Tennessee and Michigan failed. 4. The CCRPI, the measurement used to determine OSD eligibility, has changed several times making it an unreliable tool. 5. The OSD does not provide additional funding or resources to schools that need assistance.

Georgia’s Plan for Stopping School Takeovers Alternative Plan to OSD Educate, Train and Organize Get-Out-the-Vote

The Alternative – Community Schools A True Investment in Schools

The Alternative – Community Schools A True Investment in Schools 1. Access to high quality early childhood and pre-K education; 2. Collaborative and stable school leadership; 3. Quality teaching; 4. Restorative practices and a student-centered learning environment; 5. A strong curriculum that is rigorous, rich and culturally relevant; 6. Wraparound supports for students and their families; 7. Deep parent-community-school ties, and 8. Investment, not divestment.

Georgia’s Plan for Stopping School Takeovers Building the Community Schools Model The Community School Concept – the center of the community – open all day, every day, to every – that brings together academics, health and social services, youth and community development and community engagement under one roof, leading to improved learning, stronger families, and healthier communities. Action Plan: Educate school and community leaders Identify potential Community School pilots Profile current schools practicing the Community Schools Model

Georgia’s Plan for Stopping School Takeovers Educate, Train and Organize Convening The Keep Georgia Schools Local Committee with over 40 external partners Educating and training GAE members Executing a pledge card program Providing organizing grants to GAE Locals Seeking support from local school boards Integrating the campaign in all aspects of GAE (New Teacher Orientation, Membership Drives, Local Organizing)

Georgia’s Plan for Stopping School Takeovers Get-Out-the-Vote and Win! Issue research, polling, targeting Statewide bi-partisan coalition and GAE outreach member plan Social media, grassroots and traditional media