GA DEPT OF EDUCATION DEDICATES $5-MILLION TO HELP RURAL STUDENTS AFFECTED BY PANDEMIC

The Georgia Department of Education is launching a statewide effort to assist school districts with locating and supporting students who have disengaged from school as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

GaDOE is partnering with Graduation Alliance and dedicating $5 million in ESSER COVID-19 relief funds to the location, engagement, and individual support of up to 50,000 students in rural areas who have disengaged from school or are chronically absent due to COVID-related school disruptions, who are in danger of failing one or more classes, or whose families have requested additional support.

State School Superintendent Richard Woods said it’s vital those students do not fall through the cracks.

Woods said school closures, quarantines, and varying instructional models have caused some students and families to disengage with their education.

He said the new project will ensure the Georgia Dept of Education is working alongside school districts to locate those students and extend the support they need.

Some of the areas the new initiative will focus on include providing outreach Counselors to locate and reach out to students who have disengaged, or are not consistently attending or progressing in school.

Provide Academic Success Coaches to provide enhanced support

Collect data collection and communication from school districts aimed at reducing the administrative burden on them by providing strong logistical support through the development of an outreach and communication strategy and readily available templates and structures for data reporting

Dr. Bronwyn-Ragan Martin, GaDOE Deputy Superintendent for Rural Education and Innovation said most of the staff in smaller rural districts have multiple roles and it is hoped that having the extra layer of outreach will prove to be invaluable in pulling students back into school.