Savannah Schools in a State of Confusion Over Promise Scholarship List
Savannah, GA—In recent weeks, the buzz around the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) has been heavy with speculation about which schools will make it onto the state’s Promise Scholarship list. The tension is palpable as Superintendent Denise Watts and her team strive to maintain focus amid the swirling uncertainty.
What’s the Deal with the Promise Scholarship?
To refresh your memory, the Promise Scholarship program is designed to assist students in Georgia attending schools that fall into the bottom 25th percentile of performance, as measured by the College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI). Unfortunately, the process to determine which schools qualify has become unnecessarily complicated this year. You see, the last two years’ scores are used to calculate the CCRPI, which means the stakes are higher now than ever for our schools!
While SCCPSS leaders, like Watts, readily admit their commitment to accountability, they find themselves somewhat blind-sided by the ongoing validation efforts happening at the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA). The most recent update from GOSA mentioned they were “currently validating additional data,” leaving parents, students, and school officials alike puzzled.
Messy Calculations Ahead
As if predicting the future of school enrollment wasn’t tricky enough, the confusion deepens when it comes to the calculations behind the CCRPI scores. GOSA’s director, Laine Reichert, even acknowledged that the list of qualifying schools has been posted and taken down multiple times. This ever-changing process has left community stakeholders scratching their heads and asking, “What’s the deal?”
Watts indicated during a press conference that the specifics of how GOSA determines scores remain unclear. In fact, the Georgia Department of Education (GADOE) hasn’t actually calculated the CCRPI scores since 2019! The new CCRPI scores were supposed to be released following the passing of the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act or Senate Bill 233. You can see how this is fueling the flames of uncertainty and distrust, couldn’t you?
What About ESPLOST?
While Watts remains focused on improving the mental landscape of SCCPSS through projects like the Educational Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) V, the Promise Scholarship program could have a significant effect on enrollment in those schools. During a recent parent meeting, Watts made it clear that regardless of the uncertainty surrounding the Promise Scholarship, her focus remains on enhancing resources for the students and families in Savannah.
Addressing parents at a meeting, she emphasized the importance of community perception of public schools: “We want our community to see their public school system as a first-choice option.” While many parents might be considering other options due to the promise of private schooling funded through scholarships, Watts insists on the importance of nurturing local education environments.
Political Pushback
The ongoing drama surrounding the Promise Scholarship has not gone unnoticed by local political figures. Georgia Senator Derek Mallow has been vocal about his concerns, criticizing GOSA’s oversight of the CCRPI calculation. He raised questions about the potential for the program to contribute to bureaucratic inefficiencies while also expressing concerns over the potential for “cherry-picking” schools. Mallow believes every child deserves access to quality public education, regardless of their neighborhood.
The Road Ahead
As December rolls on, the pressure is mounting. GOSA was expected to quickly announce the application period for the scholarship by mid-December, but with the lack of transparency and clarity, many are left anxious and uncertain. Watts concluded her press conference by admitting that improvements are necessary. “I can’t control an external entity that’s making a calculation that I don’t understand,” she stated, chalking it up to a need for focus on what they can improve within the school walls.
With time ticking away and the future uncertain for many Savannah schools, residents are left hoping for clarity from GOSA and transparency about the Promise Scholarship that could dramatically impact countless children’s educational journeys. As the new year approaches, all eyes will be on Savannah’s schools to see how this story unfolds!
