Strategic Waivers System

School Flexibility in Georgia

Bulloch County Schools is a Strategic Waivers School System.

State law (OCGA §20-2-84.3)(PDF) required all Georgia school systems to notify the Georgia Department of Education by July 15, 2015, under which of four new education flexibility models they would operate. Each public school district in Georgia had to notify the Georgia Department of Education how it would operate.

There were three available flexibility options from which to choose: (1) a Strategic Waivers School System; (2) Charter System; and (3) Status Quo System. School systems entered into performance contracts with the State Board of Education.

Bulloch County's Strategic Waivers Adoption Process

Bulloch County's Strategic Waivers Adoption Process

At the November 6, 2014 Board of Education meeting, the Board approved Superintendent Charles Wilson’s recommendation to pursue Strategic Waiver School System status.
The school district completed community engagement processes in 2014 and 2015, and established a strategic plan.
The proposed Strategic Waivers Application was made available to the public for input on January 13, 2016, through January 28, 2016.
The Bulloch County Board of Education hosted a public meeting, Speak Up for Education, on Thursday, January 28, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., at Statesboro High School. At this public meeting, the community had an opportunity to hear more about the Strategic Waivers Application and provide input.
The State Board of Education voted on Bulloch County Schools' application on Feb. 18, 2016, during its regularly scheduled meeting. The application was approved unanimously.
Bulloch County Schools then entered into a performance contract with the State Board of Education. The contract provides the school district with flexibility from specific state education laws, in return for increased academic accountability. The contract includes the accountability goals required for each school, the flexibility granted by the state, and the consequences imposed for schools that do not reach their accountability goals.
The first school year that the Strategic Waivers School System was in effect for Bulloch County Schools was the 2015/2016 school year.
During the following years, accountability goals will be measured annually and reported to the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement. Consequences will be imposed if accountability goals are not met.
The College and Career Readiness Performance Index is the accountability tool the state will use to measure progress. Each school in the District will be required to increase its College & Career Ready Performance Index score annually to meet accountability targets.

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Strategic Waivers System

School Flexibility in Georgia

Bulloch County's Strategic Waivers Adoption Process

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