Next Georgia governor faces shaping up schools

Laura Diamond:

The governor will be expected to reverse the financial tsunami that forced local school districts to lay off teachers, shorten the school year and eliminate academic programs. He or she will play a major role in updating the popular HOPE scholarship, as falling revenues jeopardize its future. The governor will also help decide hot-button issues, such as whether illegal immigrants should be allowed to attend the state's public colleges.

While education leaders -- such as the state superintendent, State Board of Education and State Board of Regents -- set policies and make decisions that affect the state's public schools and colleges, the governor wields enormous power and influence over the quality of education in Georgia.

The gubernatorial candidates agreed education was either the No. 1 issue or just behind jobs and economic development.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at July 9, 2010 2:32 AM
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