James May-June 2023 web - Flipbook - Page 52
y
•
tst
Ou
To further support literacy, post-secondary education
and workforce development, the Georgia Partnership urges
state policymakers to pursue conversations with frontline
voices— educators, parents, community and civic leaders, and the business sector— to identify the needs of
local schools and communities. From these conversations,
policymakers can identify needed changes in state systems
and investments, while thinking about their role in achieving better outcomes for individuals and communities.
The legislature can also create more successful education and workforce strategies by understanding the benefits
as well as the limitations of state policies and investments.
While state leaders cannot ensure the success of local initiatives, state investments can support leadership and capacity-building activities that help scale local strategies. The
General Assembly can best accomplish this by using its
core levers— funding, governance and public messaging—
to create more favorable conditions in which Georgians can
learn, work and live.
Later this year, the Georgia Partnership will release the
EdQuest Georgia State Policy Plan. The plan will identify a
set of state priorities that allow the General Assembly and
other partners to pursue education and workforce strategies
that build upon the strong foundation built 30 years ago.
Matt Smith is the Director of Policy and Research at the Georgia
Partnership for Excellence in Education.
anding S er
vic
es
•
Co
mm
uni t y •
• Par k s • L
ibr
ar
is wider in scope, empowering the Council to advise policymakers on literacy strategies that affect young children,
youth, and adults.
The General Assembly approved the two literacy bills
at an advantageous time. The implementation of the early
literacy provisions outlined in HB 538 will occur alongside
the delivery of revised English Language Arts standards
and the statewide rollout of dyslexia screening and identification. The combined leadership of the state Board of
Education, Georgia Department of Education and local
advocates and practitioners will likely contribute to more
coherent and aligned strategies.
The Legislature also approved several bills that support the state’s post-secondary attainment and workforce
development objectives. For example, the legislature
created new student loan repayment programs for medical
examiners and nurse educators, which complement existing programs for veterinarians, public defenders and prosecutors. Loan repayment strategies attempt to address
workforce shortages that compromise public health and
public safety. The General Assembly also revised the rules
for the need-based Georgia College Completion Grant,
allowing students to access the award after completing
70 percent of four-year or 47 percent of two-year program
requirements. Ultimately, the legislature’s focus on literacy, post-secondary affordability and workforce incentives
supports long-term economic development and increasing
individual participation in our state’s growing economy.
CITY OF
52
JAMES
M AY/ JU N E 2023
VISIT US AT SMYRNAGA.GOV
@CityofSmyrnaGA
@SmyrnaNews
@CityofSmyrnaGA