take action in atlanta

Accountability & Transparency

• Monthly Financial Update:
  • Budget Adjustments for Charter Schools: $1.8 Million used from fund balance to increase revenues and expenditures. No impact on the district’s general fund balance. 3% holdback from QBE allotments for charter schools.
  • Fund Balance Clarification: The fund balance is essentially the money APS has in its account. Full Presentation Here
• Student Outcomes Focused Governance:
  • Current Status: Overall goal to increase students scoring proficient in Math (grades 3-8) from 26.0% (Aug 2022) to a target by Aug 2026. Current progress is 31.6% (below the target of 41.2%).
  • Interim Goals: Increase proficiency in Math (grades 3-5) from 30.2% (May 2024) to 33.2% (May 2025). Current progress is 32.6%. Increase proficiency in Math (grades 6-8) from 23.6% (May 2024) to 26.6% (May 2025).

Focus on Subgroups:

• Proficiency Gaps:

• Black vs. White Students: 17% vs. 77% (60-point gap).

• Economically Disadvantaged vs. Non-Disadvantaged: 15% vs. 64% (49-point gap).

• Students with Disabilities (SWD) vs. Non-SWD: 10% vs. 36% (26-point gap).

Questions and Concerns: Chronic absenteeism’s impact on subgroup gaps. Ensuring transparency and accountability of charter/partner school data. Understanding differences in student performance projections between spring and fall. Full Presentation Here

Equity

• Overview of Student Services and Wraparound Support:
  • Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS): Focuses on prevention in academics, behavior, attendance, and mental health.
  • Discipline: Out-of-School Suspensions (OSS) reduced by 2372 days (5.6% decrease). OSS by subgroups: Hispanic 3.2%, Asian 0.2%, Black 93.5%. OSS by school type: Elementary – Charter 23.6%, Partner 5.4%, Traditional 71%.
  • Attendance: Chronic absenteeism defined as 10+ absences. Decreased by 1% (over 1,000 students).
  • Mental Health: Support platforms “Say Something” and “Securely” to identify students needing help. Every school has a mental health provider.
  • Department of Student Services: Counselors 1 per 328 students (recommended 1:250). Social Workers 1 per 521 students (recommended 1:250). School Psychologists 1 per 927 students (recommended 1:500). School Nurses 1 per 537 students (recommended 1:750).
  • APS CARES: Access to resources and support in Metro-Atlanta and beyond. Full Presentation Here
  • Questions and Concerns: 
    • Board Member Zeff expressed concern about chronic absenteeism and wants to begin a conversation on what budgetary supports the board can provide to close this 35% gap. 
    • Board Member Brooks– Commendation for the decrease in suspensions. Impact of transportation on secondary school attendance. Exploring successful practices in charter schools for potential replication. Need for more investments to meet recommended ratios for school psychologists.
    • Board Member Johnson asked a question about impact measurement with partners and vendors. Ms. Montgomery stated that APS will be moving vendors/partners to outcomes-based contracts.

Access & School Options

• Overview of Student Services and Wraparound Support:
  • APS Student and Family Support Hub: Now open for student registration, records, and discipline hearings. Address- 601 Beckwith St. SW
  • Local Organizations: Can sign up in SchoolDude to offer programs for APS students and families.
  • Hub Store: Accepting donations; Goodr grocery store construction starting soon.

Public Comment Themes

• Equity Focus: Community members are calling for a stronger focus on equity to benefit all students.
• Support for Long-Time Staff: Many expressed support for a cafeteria worker who was terminated after over 20 years.
• School Concerns: Issues raised include student enrollment at Jackson High and changes in school leadership at Washington.
• Mental Health Initiative: A proposal to introduce a book on mental health and family support to several high schools.
• KIPP School Advocacy: Strong support for KIPP schools from multiple community members.
• Principal of the Year: Nominations are open, with 12 received so far.

Accountability & Transparency

This month, the school board reviewed the Annual Facilities Capacity and Utilization Process, led by Dan Drake, Senior Executive Director of Facilities Service. Here are the key points:

• In the district 43 school buildings, most of which are in the Douglass, South Atlanta, Therrell and Washington clusters are less than 65% full.

• This low utilization is causing budget issues for the district.
• Dr. Lisa Bracken, our Chief Financial Officer, highlighted the need to carefully review the number of schools in our district to address these challenges.
• Board member, Dr. Ken Zeff who represents District 3 emphasized the need for transparency in the process for the community. 

You can see the full facilities presentation here.

During the monthly financial update, Dr. Lisa Bracken, Chief Financial Officer discussed budget adjustments, highlighting a $555,808 unpaid meal balance and the need for a thorough review of the central office size, program offerings, and per pupil spending. Key questions from the board included addressing unpaid lunch balances, budgeting for School Resource Officers (SROs), and ensuring transparency around school costs.  Check out the full monthly financial update here.

This month Student Outcomes Focused Governance Progress monitoring was all about Goal 1: (Literacy) Interim Goal: 1.1 and 1.2. The district is focused on improving student literacy. Currently, 35.5% of students in grades 3-8 are scoring at the proficient level or higher in English Language Arts (ELA), which is a 2.2% improvement from last year. However, this is still below the target of 43%. To address this, new assessment data will be used to set goals for a 3% annual increase in proficiency for grades 3-5 and 6-8, starting this year. 

The district is working to create a seamless teaching and learning model that aligns curriculum materials and best instructional practices. Key actions include continuing the Science of Reading training, consulting with the Literacy Taskforce, conducting focus groups with K-12 teachers, auditing current literacy resources, and redesigning the October Professional Learning Day to focus on accelerating literacy.

To achieve these goals, the support of the Board is needed in partnering with the community to revise Board goals, reconvening community partners around the new literacy focus, allowing time to implement new strategies, and ensuring adequate resources such as financial support, professional learning, technology tools and human resources. You can view the full Goal Monitoring Report here. 

Public Comment Themes

• • Advocacy for staff: multiple speakers advocated for a cafeteria staff worker, highlighting issues of retaliation and bullying within the nutrition department
  • Gun Safety: Several speakers emphasized the importance of gun safety education and the safe storage pledge campaign. They thanked Board members, Dr. Ken Zeff (District 3) and Katie Howard (District 1) for their proactive efforts and called for the district and board to lobby for safe storage policies at the state level.
  • Community & Parent Collaboration: Several KIPP parents invited the board and superintendent to tour their school and urged them to collaborate with KIPP families. 

The board has approved an increase in funds to purchase integrated security and surveillance products and services to enhance school safety. 

The board also approved the following budget adjustments which are aimed at improving school safety, supporting students’ nutritional needs, and enhancing services for students with disabilities. 

• Elementary School SROs: $2.3 million form the fund balance will be allocated to support School Resource Officers in elementary schools. 

• Unpaid Meal Balances: $555,808 from the fund balance will be used to cover unpaid school meal balances.
• State Preschool Disability Services: A state grant of $59,778 will be allocated to residential treatment centers.

Accountability & Transparency

• • Following a recent audit, the Audit Committee, led by Board member Aretta Baldon, recommended modernizing the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, which helps manage day-to-day operations.
    • Olufemi Aina, Chief Information Officer briefed the board on the modernization updates which include the selection of Oracle- Cloud SAAS Software, AST- System Implementer, Gartner- Monitoring and Oversight system. The price tag to implement over the next 5 years- $50-60 million. 
    • The Board expressed concerns about the cost but ultimately concluded that the risk of not modernizing the systems was greater than the expense.
    • See the full presentation here. 

• Goals & Guardrails

• • • This month, the board reviewed the progress of Guardrail 2: Stakeholder Engagement, which requires the Superintendent to consult with students, parents, teachers, staff, and community members before making major decisions or recommendations.
    • This Guardrail is on track– overall stakeholder engagement increased from 57.3% to 59.5%. 
    • See the full report here. 
  • The board also approved the monthly budget adjustments. See the full breakdown here. 

• Public comment themes

• • Appreciation for intentional stakeholder engagement from the Superintendent and the Board.

Equity

• The Board voted to authorize three intergovernmental agreements with the Atlanta Urban Development Corporation (AUDC) to address the housing affordability disparity in our city.
  • APS and AUDC will partner together to determine recommendations for the former Lakewood Heights Elementary School and the 575 Peeples St property.

Access & School Options

• During the Pre-K/Early Learning Update, Dr. Joye Bradley highlighted programs that improve access to quality child care for APS employees and low-income families.
• Boost: The APS Parent-Child Success Scholarship was awarded to 83 employees. The Boost Child Care Initiative offers financial scholarships directly to child care providers. Learn more about the application process here.
  • Pre-K/Early Learning Update: There are 38 elementary schools with Pre-K programs and 57 Pre-K classes. As of August 30th, there are 1,075 Pre-K students enrolled. See the full presentation here and Pre-K site locations here.

Accountability & Transparency

• • Erica M. Long, Deputy Superintendent presented the 2024 Legislative Updates at the August Board meeting. See the full presentation here

• 2024 Legislative Session Summary

• • • • Additional funding for teacher and administrative salaries
      • Attention to student health challenges
      • Revenue Impact
        • Homestead exemption legislation may result in slightly lower property tax revenue per resident. 
          • Senate Bill (SB) 439, House Bill (HB) 581
        • State budget allocations will provide some funding for salaries, Pre-K, transportation and security

• Millage Rate Hearing #1

• • • This was the first of 3 hearings before a vote. 
      • Millage Hearing #2 Aug 12, 2024 10am
      • Millage Hearing #3 Aug 12, 2024 6pm
    • Presented by Dr. Lisa Bracken, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
    • Working to maintain a millage rate of 20.5 mills, potential increase in taxes $66 annually.
    • What is a millage rate? Learn more here https://dor.georgia.gov/local-government-services/digest-compliance/property-tax-millage-rates

• Public Comment themes

• • Special education gaps within the district
• Discussion & Action
  • Monthly Budget Adjustment FY2025, See Report Here
    • $2,009,739 Increase
    • ABOE voted unanimously to accept the budget adjustment
  • Monthly Budget Adjustment FY2024, See Report Here
    • General Fund decrease of $70,033
    • Recommendation to shift $3,535,367 from General to Special revenue fund
    • ABOE voted unanimously to accept the budget adjustment

Equity

• There had been discussion during a past board meeting about expanding Advanced Placement (AP) courses district wide through a hybrid model. However during the signature programs presentation we learned that there has been no movement from the district to implement this model. 

• Goals & Guardrails

• Student Outcome Focused Governance (SOFG)- Guardrail 1: Equity

• • • See full report here
    • Interim Guardrail 1.1 The percentage of district divisions and schools aligning their efforts and resources with the APS strategic framework will increase from 54.5% in May 2023 to 57.5% in May 2024

• Board Interim Guardrail 1 Status: TBD

• “During the 2023-2024 school year, the Office of Equity and Social Justice prioritized work, changed due to a shift in strategic priorities. Due to changes in the practices, the two monitoring periods (May 2023 to May 2024) are not comparable.”

Access & School Options

• At the August meeting, the board requested a presentation on APS’ signature programs. See the full presentation here. 

• Presented by: Dr. Dwionne Freeman- Career Technical & Agricultural Education (CTAE) Director, Dr. Ovura (Thea) Murphy- International Baccalaureate (IB) Coordinator and Dr. Warren Edwards- District Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Coordinator

• • APS currently offers 28 IB programs in the Jackson, Mays, Therrell and North Atlanta clusters and 22 Certified STEM/STEAM programs.

The big Board of Education news in June was Bryan Johnson being named the sole finalist for the Atlanta Public Schools superintendency. But, before that mid-month announcement, the Board met for its monthly meeting, and our team attended to stay informed about discussions and decisions impacting Atlanta.

Here are the headlines from the June 2024 Board meeting:

Readers are Leaders – Superintendent Literacy Initiative
Sherri Forrest, the Chief Academic Officer for APS, presented on the district’s transition to a new literacy curriculum based on the science of reading, Readers are Leaders. The Board has approved $11.5 million for this initiative, which will begin in elementary schools during the 2024-25 school year and middle schools during the 2025-26 school year. 

Part of these funds will support a Readers are Leaders coach in each school for professional development and accountability. The program will also support instructional materials, universal screeners, targeted interventions, and teacher preparation. Budget planning for 2026 has already begun, ensuring full funding for coaching and materials for at least three years. 

Teacher training has already begun, with all training cycles expected to be completed by May 2025. 

Information sessions and parent universities will soon be held to help community members learn more about this transition and what it means for Atlanta students. 

Strategic Plan Updates
Nicole Lawson, APS’s chief Human Resources Officer, presented on talent management as part of the district’s Strategic Plan. Current strategies include supporting new teachers, teacher development, increased compensation investments, and staff retention. 

For the 2023-24 school year, APS retained 68-75% of novice teachers and increased overall staff retention by 2% to 84.2%. Additionally, 40 teachers were promoted from the paraprofessional pipeline, 113 were promoted to leadership roles, 250 received specialized certification, and 1,100 teachers benefited from additional career development training and support. These transitions were fueled in part by increased investments in compensation for teachers that included providing stipends that boosted retention in key areas and elevated APS’ market position from 6th to 2nd place in Metro Atlanta. 

Lawson also shared data from several surveys. During exit interviews, some top reasons staff left the district included working conditions, culture and climate, and student discipline. This includes a strong feeling of teacher burnout due to unrealistic expectations, assessment, teacher voice, lack of professional growth, mental health, and overall wellness. 

However, 61% of APS employees who participated in the APS Gallup Survey agreed or strongly agreed that their organization cares about their overall well-being. 

Considering these factors, APS will focus on six key areas: unlocking educator potential, leveraging internal expertise paired with targeted professional development, robust mental health supports for employees, independent growth, people-focused policy updates, and refreshing HR business processes. 

Dr. Lisa Bracken, the chief financial officer for APS, also presented the monthly financial report with several changes, including funding for the Readers are Leaders initiative, new investments in special education, and investment in an in-house nutrition program. She asked the Board to approve a $1.79 billion budget.

Goal Monitoring Report
The Board discussed Interim Goals 2.1 and 2.2. Interim Goal 2.1 (the percentage of students in grades K-1 who have demonstrated readiness in mathematics on the district universal screening assessment will increase from 45.5% in May 2022 to 51.5% in May 2024) is exceeding target measures, with an increase in demonstrated mathematics readiness to 55.5%. Specifically, Black and Hispanic students had the highest percentage point increases from spring to spring (9.8% and 10.5% respectively). The Therrell and Douglas clusters saw the highest percentage point difference overall at 18% and 15.6% increases. Students with disabilities and economically disadvantaged students both saw 9.9% increases. 

Progress on Interim Goal 2.2 is developing, with a 0.6% increase of students in grades 2-8 with a projected Milestones achievement level of proficient or above in mathematics on the district universal screening assessment.

Tapestry Vote
The Board also voted on Tapestry Public Charter School, Inc. petition to be an Atlanta school. Tapestry’s model utilizes co-taught classrooms, with each class taught by both a general education and special education teacher. They voted to deny this petition for the second time.

Ken Zeff and Katie Howard voted yes, thanking everyone who had worked diligently on the petition and singing the praises of Tapestry and the services they provide for families. Aretta Baldon, Jennifer McDonald, Erika Mitchell, Eshé Collins, Alfred “Shivy” Brooks, Jessica Johnson, and Cynthia Brown followed the recommendation of Dr. Daniells Battle and voted no. Some of their key concerns were the fiscal timing, the potential negative impact on enrollment in school districts, concerns about underperforming charters, rezoning and consolidation of school populations, and budget abolishments of positions (specifically cafeteria workers). 

The full Board meeting is available on the APS Board YouTube page.

Our team attends each APS Board meeting to stay informed about discussions and decisions impacting Atlanta.

Here are the headlines from the May 2024 Board meeting:

FAFSA and the Achieve Atlanta Partnership Atlanta Public Schools has been partnering with local nonprofit Achieve Atlanta to help students pursue various post-secondary paths after high school.

Despite the poor rollout across the country of the updated federal financial aid application, Atlanta has higher completion rates than other cities across the country. In addition, APS is hiring more part-time staff to give students one-on-one support at high school sites throughout the summer.

Achieve Atlanta scholarship applications are open for APS Juniors and Seniors and will close on May 31.

Student Calendar Updates Updates are coming to future school calendars based on over 6,000 responses to the Board’s Guardrail 2 stakeholder engagement survey. Board member Aretta Baldon explained that there was equitable participation on the survey, and they worked with associate superintendents to share it at community meetings and through the communication department.

Board member Alfred “Shivy” Brooks asked about calendar alignment across metro districts to help teachers who are parents and have childcare needs. Brooks also advocated for more breaks throughout the school year for improved mental well-being.

APS is Working to Increase Family Engagement Keasha Copeland, the Executive Director of Family and Community Engagement for APS, presented key themes that emerged from recent feedback. Common topics were affordable after-school programs, parent education opportunities, mental health and family counseling support, financial literacy courses, and funding for incentives for staff and families.

Copeland mentioned that APS leads programs that respond to these themes, such as Parent-Liaison Professional learning (including the Parent Liaison Appreciation event in April), the Male Engagement Network, the CHAMP Fatherhood SMART Goals workshop, the Next Man Up M.E.N’s conference, employee professional learning, a family engagement conference, and the United Way Fostering Family Leaders Program. Additionally, families have access to resources through the summer experience expo and the APS CARES website.

There is also an intentional focus on Latinx families through programs like Hola APS, Agape, La Amistad Advisory Council, and the Latin American Association.

What’s Happening With the APS Budget APS Chief Financial Officer Dr. Lisa Bracken presented the monthly financial report. The key takeaways were that the budget was being used to prioritize student learning, invest in teachers (through salary increases, retention stipends, non-teacher cost of living adjustments, and leadership, teacher, and career development programs), and strengthen systems (such as by bringing a nutrition program in-house and funding long-term school-based substitute teachers).

The budget also had its first budget hearing, and was open for community comment, where community members voiced concerns over budget and job cuts, charter spending, and a lack of resources in the Washington cluster, as well as for investing in student mental health and better pay for essential workers like janitors and bus drivers.

Miscellaneous The Superintendent search has resumed as a closed search. New candidates have until May 17 to apply, and the process should now be completed by Fall.

The full Board meeting is available on the APS Board YouTube page.

Our team attends each Board of Education meeting to stay informed about discussions and decisions impacting Atlanta students and families. We share our top takeaways on our blog to help increase the public’s awareness about the district’s decisions and policies and how they may shape the future of our schools and students. 

Here are the headlines from the April 2024 Board meeting:

Collaboration Between District, Charter, and Partner Schools

Matt Underwood, the Executive Director for Innovation for Atlanta Public Schools, presented on the collaboration between the district, charter, and partner schools. Charter schools have been voted in by the Board of Education and are self-managed but accountable to the Board. Partner schools offer open enrollment to defined neighborhoods and are managed by an external nonprofit that is accountable to the Board. There are currently 19 charter schools and 5 partner schools in APS. 

The main focus areas of the presentation were monitoring, including renewal review and audits, operational support and thought partnership, and fostering future collaboration. 

Schools are measured on three indicators: 

1. Closing performance gaps 

2. Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI), or Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) identification

3. And in comparison with the district. 

The only school not meeting expectations on all indicators was KIPP Soul, a 5-8 academy in Metro Atlanta. 

Josh Andrew, Head of School at Atlanta Classical Academy, discussed the importance of flexibility and autonomy. Having both flexibility and autonomy allowed the school to adjust the K-12 curriculum to best suit the needs of their students and address learning loss (through lengthened school days, summer enrichment, and investing in coaching) and behavioral challenges. Similarly, Mike Davis, Chief Executive Officer of Purpose Built Schools, voiced the ability to work with over 40 community partners to expand programming and other opportunities for students. 

After the presentation, the Board voiced concerns about accountability and improvement at charter and partner schools: 

• Aretta Baldon asked about specific measurements, including monthly progress monitoring meetings and assessing progress every three years. She also stated that improvement plans are the charters’ responsibility. 

• Ken Zeff voiced strong support for parent choice and concerns about the transparency of success measures to put parents in a better position to choose the best school for their family, suggesting a school finder tool among other things.

• However, Katie Howard suggested future collaboration could be possible, suggesting stronger relationship building and potentially seeking a collaborative grant. 

• Eshe Collins also asked for feedback on what should be on the board’s radar based on the families served, which included an investment in early learning and considerations for infrastructure changes to support the increasing number of economically disadvantaged students. 

The board will discuss new charter school petitions in future meetings, including voting on admitting Tapestry Public Charter School in June. 

L.E.A.D. Center for Youth Partnership Update

CJ & Kellye Stewart, co-founders of L.E.A.D. Center for Youth, presented updates on their partnership with APS schools. They offer a youth development program that leverages sports to develop the skills and talents of Black youth. Currently, they offer 300 free opportunities to students, boasting a 100% graduation rate amongst participants and a 91% college acceptance and scholarship rate. 

Board members weighed in:

• Aretta Brown and Katie Howard both expressed appreciation for the partnership and implementation of female sports, citing a “great relationship since 2009.” 

• Erika Mitchell inquired about what was needed from the board to expand, and the Stewarts asked for amplification of the opportunities and transportation support. 

• When Ken Zeff asked what advice they would offer to other nonprofits partnering with APS, they replied that they “have to really care.”

Student Outcomes-Focused Governance Framework Updates

This quarter, APS reviewed its goals for preparing high school students for life after graduation. Goals include high school students demonstrating preparedness will increase by May 2026. For the first time, elementary and middle school students were included in this goal, with their goal to increase the number of students who are making progress toward a Profile of a Graduate. 

Board members shared a range of feedback:

• Cynthia Brown voiced an appreciation for a new focus on younger students.

• Jessica Johnson asked what communication strategies were being used to inform and encourage students to take the PSAT early. All eligible students are scheduled to take it early, though there is the chance to opt-out. Shivy Brooks, Aretta Baldon, and Katie Howard all voiced concerns about measuring success to know what is having the most impact and what needs improvement. 

• Ken Zeff added concerns about getting staff to focus on the key components, which is still a work in progress. 

The full Board meeting is available on the APS Board YouTube page.

Our team attends each APS Board meeting to stay informed about discussions and decisions impacting Atlanta. Moving forward, we will share our top takeaways on our blog to help increase the public’s awareness about the district’s decisions and policies and how they may shape the future of our schools and students. 

Here are the headlines from the March 2024 Board meeting:

Will the BeltLine Trail Lead to a Boost for Atlanta Public Schools?
The CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Clyde Higgs, presented their plans for the BeltLine Trail, saying it will give students access to safer transportation to school, employment opportunities, and affordable housing. Access to affordable housing has historically impacted families throughout greater Atlanta by shifting where they live and send their children to school.

Board Members Ken Zeff and Shivy Brooks expressed concerns about resident displacement and affordability. They strongly encouraged Higgs to restructure how affordability is measured in order to help ensure resident retention. The Board also requested an outreach plan to help disseminate information to families about the legacy resident retention program (which should help homeowners along the BeltLine cover their increased property taxes) and opportunities for jobs and internships. 

By this time next year, the trail should be 85% complete, and we’re hopeful our community can grow – equitably – alongside it. 

Summer Programs Are Combating Pandemic Learning Loss
Nationally, schools have used summer programs to help students make up for learning lost during the pandemic; however, participation has been a frequent pain point. Sedric Smith, the APS Director of Afterschool and Summer Programs, spoke at the meeting about his hopes to combat low participation rates by applying lessons learned from previous years. 

Smith said his team is in the midst of creating a schedule filled with fun and engaging activities that not only teach students literacy and math skills but also leave them wanting more. Students will be offered innovative programs through local vendors and incentives for participating. 

Registration is already underway, and we encourage you to sign up if you haven’t already done so!

Student Outcomes-Focused Governance Framework Shows Progress
This quarter, APS reviewed its progress in enrolling students in AP, IB, and Dual Enrollment courses and the success rates of those students.  

APS shared that, to date, 21.6% of 9th-graders have enrolled in an AP class, 52.8% of 10th-grade students passed at least one AP exam, and 58.1% of 11th-graders have passed at least one AP or IB exam or earned at least one Dual Enrollment credit. While this marks a significant improvement compared to previous years, it doesn’t meet expectations.

This review revealed several issues both with implementation and performance measurements, including a lack of certified teachers, creating a disparity between the capacity to offer quality classes and goals for successful participation in these classes. 

The discussion at the Board meeting also revealed gaps in student support that will be improved upon in the coming years, including transportation for Dual Enrollment students, hybrid offerings, and family engagement to increase understanding and desire for increased student rigor. 

The full Board meeting is available on the APS Board YouTube page.