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Johnny Crawford/Atlanta Journal Constitution
A parent carries her sign during the
march for changes on the Clayton County
School Board.
A parent carries her sign during the
march for changes on the Clayton County
School Board.
'Dysfunctional' Georgia School Loses Accreditation
August 29, 2008 02:18 PM
The Clayton County schools have lost accreditation after failing to meet eight of nine required improvements set by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
Email ThisClayton County schools in crisis
Clayton County is the first district in the United States to lose accreditation in 40 years. The accreditation loss takes effect Monday, although school officials can regain accreditation if they meet the mandates by September 1, 2009. If unsuccessful, the school system would have to start the accreditation process from the beginning, which could take up to three years to complete.
The district has known for six months that it was at risk of losing accreditation, due to what the SACS dubbed a “fatally flawed” school board. Mark A. Elgart, head of the SACS, said that the board gave too much power to Superintendent John Thompson and did not take proper measures to vote on decisions.
Immediately after the accreditation agency’s announcement, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue removed four Clayton school board members for violating the state’s open meetings act and ethics code.
The district has known for six months that it was at risk of losing accreditation, due to what the SACS dubbed a “fatally flawed” school board. Mark A. Elgart, head of the SACS, said that the board gave too much power to Superintendent John Thompson and did not take proper measures to vote on decisions.
Immediately after the accreditation agency’s announcement, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue removed four Clayton school board members for violating the state’s open meetings act and ethics code.
More than 2,000 students have already been withdrawn from the school system this year, and the number is expected to grow. Superintendent John Thompson says the district plans to appeal and has expressed disappointment in the lack of faith that the school board can regain its status. “A storm came through and look at it now, the sun is shining,” Thompson said. “That’s what’s going to happen in Clayton County.”
For many parents, waiting is not worth the risk. School accreditation can affect future education. The 50,000 students enrolled in Clayton County schools are at risk of being passed over by colleges and scholarships that require accredited degrees.
For many parents, waiting is not worth the risk. School accreditation can affect future education. The 50,000 students enrolled in Clayton County schools are at risk of being passed over by colleges and scholarships that require accredited degrees.
Reference: Clayton schools’ accreditation battle and Georgia Accrediting Standards
Clayton Schools first began experiencing difficulty in November 2007, when the SACS received several board member complaints and launched an investigation into the school system. A timeline of the accreditation battle is available through The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Web site.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An overview of standards and requirements for accreditation in Georgia schools can be reviewed at the AdvanceED Web site.
Source: AdvanceED
Related topic: Hempstead school board struggles
The Hempstead, New York school district faced similar challenges in 2005, with internal school board battles making proper management impossible. According to The New York Times, “Critics say the problems are rooted in corruption and greed. For years, they say, board members and administrators gave out jobs and contracts to friends and political allies, misused district money and bickered among themselves while the schools crumbled, teacher morale plunged and Hempstead's 6,800 students were left to flounder.”
Source: The New York Times
© 2008 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
