Deal releases education plan for Georgia

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September 7, 2010

DORIE TURNER, Associated Press Writer The Dalton Daily Citizen Tue Sep 07, 2010, 06:52 PM EDT

ATLANTA — Republican Nathan Deal unveiled an education plan Tuesday that calls for a modest boost in funding for charter schools and for science and math teachers.

As the state grapples with budget shortfalls, the former congressman said he wants to give districts more freedom to choose how they spend their money — funneling more dollars to direct classroom instruction — rather than increasing money for schools.

“We believe we have to focus our resources on the classroom teacher, because that is truly where education takes place,” Deal said in a news conference at the state Capitol flanked by dozens of lawmakers and state Republican leaders, including Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers.

Deal criticized his opponent, Democrat Roy Barnes, for proposing more than $1 billion in increased funding for education to stave off teacher and furloughs and lower class sizes.

“Ours does not propose to spend billions of dollars that the state obviously does not have,” Deal said. “We believe it’s more important to focus the resources we have and give teachers and schools the flex to use those current dollars.”

While Barnes has proposed more sweeping changes to boost student achievement and replace lost education funding, Deal is targeting smaller programs he says would help move education forward without breaking the bank.

Deal’s plan provides about $20 million in new programs to encourage college students to become science and math teachers and to create more technology, math and science focused charter schools. He also hopes to spend about $2 million to create an incentive program for college students who go into high-tech career fields in math and science.

Both Deal and Barnes have been wooing teachers heading into the November election. Barnes has made education his signature issue in the race, while Deal has been criticized for waiting until Tuesday to outline the specifics of his education plan.

“Unfortunately, Rep. Deal’s solutions would open the door to school vouchers and starve our public education system that is currently experiencing teacher furloughs, larger class sizes and fewer school days,” said Barnes’ spokeswoman Anna Ruth Williams.

Deal stopped short of saying he supports expanding the state’s school voucher program, a Republican staple unpopular with teachers. Deal instead called for state lawmakers to study the issue.

Deal also said he would form a committee to study the state’s funding formula for education, replacing the commission formed by current Gov. Sonny Perdue six years ago that has failed to revamp the Quality Basic Education formula. Deal said his group would have to come up with recommendations for lawmakers by June 30, 2011 — blaming the lack of deadline for why Perdue’s commission hasn’t made any changes.

“If you don’t have a deadline, things tend to drag on,” Deal said.

Deal, whose wife is a retired school teacher and whose parents were educators, said he formulated his plan based on surveys of teachers, school administrators and business leaders. He said he wants to allow teachers to choose when standardized tests are given during the year and to let students move up a grade midyear if they are ready.

He also said he wants to make sure all Georgia students are reading on grade level by age 8.

“This is a reform proposal that we believe will truly take Georgia into the 21st century in terms of education,” Deal said.

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Online:

Nathan Deal: http://www.nathandeal.org/

Roy Barnes: http://www.roy2010.com/

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