Education

State Schools Chief Richard Woods Talks School Rescue Plans, Graduation Rates

WABE

February 17th, 2015

Richard Woods is Georgia’s new state superintendent of schools. He took office in January 2015 after winning the election last year.

Woods, a Republican, had been in office barely a month when Gov. Nathan Deal announced his plan for the state to take over up to 20 failing schools each year. The schools would be placed in a new statewide district of their own, with its own superintendent who would report to the governor, not to Woods.

In part one of a conversation on “A Closer Look,” WABE’s Denis O’Hayer asked Woods for his thoughts on the governor’s plan and about a bill (HB 91), which would end the Georgia High School Graduation test as a requirement.

In part two, Woods talks about the high school graduation gap between young black men and young white men; the bill (HB 243) which would allow state funds to be used by parents in special accounts for non-public schools; the fight over Common Core; and whether the next state superintendent should be elected or appointed.Part one of Denis O'Hayer's interview with State School Superintendent Richard Woods.Part two of Denis O'Hayer's interview with State School Superintendent Richard Woods