Georgia's Education Crisis: Can This Candidate Fix Our Schools?

Discover why a passionate parent and advocate, Dr. Randell E Trammell, is running for Georgia State School Superintendent to tackle the state's education challenges. From addressing low national rankings to restoring classroom discipline and prioritizing academics, this podcast dives into critical issues like teacher burnout, school safety, and the role of technology in education. Learn about proposed solutions to improve Georgia’s schools and why the current system needs a shake-up.

Georgia’s Education Ranking Crisis:
Georgia ranks 38th in the nation for education, despite being a top state for business.
National assessment scores reveal alarming proficiency rates: 35% in reading and 22% in math for 12th graders, 31% in science for 8th graders.
Georgia trails behind states like Mississippi, which has seen a “Mississippi Miracle” through phonics-based reading reforms.
Dr. Trammell’s Motivation to Run:
Driven by personal experience as a parent of three public school children (kindergarten, 3rd, and 4th grade).
Frustration with complex math homework and a desire to ensure better educational opportunities for all Georgia students.
Committed to public schools, having grown up in the system and with a spouse who teaches in Bartow County.
Key Issues in Georgia Schools:
Academic Decline: Emphasis on behavioral studies over core academics (reading, writing, arithmetic) has led to lagging performance.
Teacher Burnout: Two-thirds of teachers report burnout, with many forced to act as behavioral specialists rather than educators.
Classroom Discipline: Current school climate systems penalize schools for enforcing discipline, leading to unaddressed behavioral issues.
School Safety: External threats (e.g., Apalachee school shooting) and internal issues like student-on-teacher violence are rising concerns.
Technology and Distractions: Cell phones and social media contribute to classroom disruptions; candidate supports a K-12 cell phone ban.
Proposed Solutions:
Back-to-Basics Approach: Focus on phonics-based reading (inspired by Mississippi’s success), foundational math, and writing skills.
Early Intervention: Immediate support for students struggling by 3rd grade, potentially pausing electives like PE or art for targeted help.
Restoring Discipline: Remove disruptive students from classrooms via in-school suspension, alternative schools, or online learning to prioritize learning environments.
Teacher Support: Reduce administrative burdens (e.g., excessive behavioral reporting) and refocus teachers on academics.
School Safety: Address internal and external threats to ensure safe learning environments for students and teachers.
Parental Involvement: Advocate for transparency with parents, ensuring they are informed about significant changes in their child’s behavior or identity at school.
Critique of Current Leadership:
Current superintendent has served 12 years with no significant improvement in Georgia’s education ranking.
Lack of accountability in financial management (e.g., Dublin City Schools’ $13 million deficit).
Poor relationship with the legislature, hindering effective policy changes.
Role of State School Superintendent:
Sets the vision for state education standards, which are approved by the State Board of Education.
Ensures accountability in academic performance and financial transparency.
Works with the legislature and governor’s office to pass education-focused laws.
Addresses the needs of diverse school systems, from metro Atlanta to rural areas.
Additional Concerns:
Funding Challenges: 75% of some counties’ property taxes fund schools, yet the Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula hasn’t been updated since 1984.
Undocumented Students: Supreme Court mandates education for all children, but the candidate acknowledges the financial burden and need for further data.
Transparency in Funding: Proposes a public webpage to track school funding inflows and outflows for greater accountability.
Call to Action:
Visit TrammellforGeorgia.com for more information on the Dr. Trammell’s platform.
Encourages voter engagement and invites other candidates for open discussions to inform the public.