2018 GA Governor's race: on Education

Stacey Abrams: No money for school vouchers

Stacey Abrams: Must offer many paths for higher education

Stacey Abrams: Must offer many paths for higher education

Casey Cagle: Options for public charter, private school or home schooling

Since his election, Cagle has passed landmark legislation to create charter systems that allow entire school systems to bypass counterproductive regulations in return for meeting and keeping a commitment to excellence. Additionally, he has worked successfully to create College and Career Academies across Georgia so that kids who want to learn a skilled trade or get a professional certification in high school can have a chance to start earning a good living when they graduate.

Stacey Abrams: Help students from early learning thru post-secondary school

As House Minority Leader, I promote legislation that helps students from the earliest days of learning through the post-secondary academics.

We protect the rights of parents to help their children learn, support educators committed to holistic student achievement, and we demand well-equipped and safe schools where children have not only the freedom but the capacity to grow.

Casey Cagle: Declare war on high school dropout rates in Georgia

Hunter Hill: I believe the money should follow the child

A: We absolutely have to modernize the funding formula and we need to make sure that we uphold our constitutional duty in this state to provide an adequate education for every child in this state. Part of that is making sure we have a competitive mix of what is available to our students. I believe the money should follow the child.

Q: You encountered push back from public school educators, who argue that allowing the money to follow the child destabilizes public schools by leaving them with only the most at risk students.

A: What I do know is that our failing schools have the highest per-pupil spending of any of the other schools. In other words, they're failing in spite of how much we're investing in them. Rather than just keep pouring money after a bad idea, we would provide alternatives to families and students.

Casey Cagle: Education savings accounts including private schools

Hill was first elected to a Senate seat in 2012 that represents parts of north Atlanta and east Cobb and is perhaps best known as an advocate for education savings accounts and other programs that let state school funding follow students to private schools. He said that effort will be a centerpiece of his campaign. "The overarching goal is an education system where every child has an opportunity to succeed, and expanding choice plays a large role in that," said Hill, adding: "Everything is on the table as it relates to reform." Hill said he would "spend less on low-return activities" and reinvest those public dollars in K-12 education, transportation and public safety.

Hunter Hill: Advocate for education accounts including private schools

Hill has become a vocal advocate for education accounts that allow state funding for students attending private schools. Teachers and other education groups oppose such vouchers.

Stacey Abrams: Chief Turnaround Officers for low-performing schools

MY VOTE: YES. HB 338 is an important bill that creates a path for empirical evidence of the needed supports for chronically low-performing schools. Specifically, the bill will require the collection of necessary evidence to diagnose the causes of struggling schools--like determining whether students have proper nutrition, hearing tests, and eyeglasses--needs that must be addressed before any state intervention takes place. Moreover, the Chief Turnaround Officer must now hold extensive credentialing in the field of public education.

Stacey Abrams: Voted NO on $42M more tax credits for private schools

MY VOTE: NO. I do not support the public funding of private education, as (1) public schools are available to all children; (2) private schools are permitted to discriminate in their choice of students; & (3) our persistent underfunding of education argues against any diversion of funds.