Welcome, and thank you for your interest in Georgia’s public schools.
Public education is essential to the growth, strength, and future of our state. Strong public schools benefit everyone, not just families with children. They strengthen our workforce, support local economies, reduce crime, and help build healthier, more informed communities. The Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) works every day in local communities and at the State Capitol to advocate for students, educators, and high-quality public schools.
While state policy plays an important role, many of the decisions that directly impact your local schools are made by your local school board or board of education. Staying informed and engaged at the local level is one of the most powerful ways to support your community’s schools.
Click here to find your local school district and board of education.
What You Should Know About Local School Boards
Many school systems in Georgia operate under flexibility waivers granted by the State Board of Education. These waivers allow districts to adjust or opt out of certain state requirements in order to implement local strategies.
However, these decisions can have real impacts on students, educators, and classrooms.
Examples of policies that may be affected by local waivers include:
- Class size limits – Some districts may increase the number of students per class beyond recommended levels, which can affect instructional quality and individual student support.
- Class size limits – Some districts may increase the number of students per class beyond recommended levels, which can affect instructional quality and individual student support.
- Teacher certification requirements – Districts may hire individuals who are not fully certified in a subject area or grade level, which can impact instructional consistency and preparation.
- Salary schedule requirements – Local systems may adjust or bypass the state salary schedule, affecting educator pay structures and transparency.
- Planning and duty-free time – Policies intended to ensure teachers have dedicated planning periods or duty-free lunch may be modified, reducing time for lesson preparation and recovery.
- Expenditure controls (classroom vs. administrative spending) – Flexibility may allow shifts in how education funding is allocated within a district.
Understanding these policies and how they are applied in your district, you can be an advocate for the best possible learning environment for all students.
Stay Informed and Get Involved
If you would like to receive material about our association and information during the Georgia General Assembly on legislation impacting our public schools - both negatively and positively, we invite youto stay connected.
Click here to sign up for information and updates from GAE.
Your information will not be sold or used for any purpose other than providing you with relevant updates.
About GAE
The Georgia Association of Educators is Georgia’s leading professional organization for teachers, administrators, and education support professionals. Representing tens of thousands of educators across the state, GAE works to improve public education by amplifying the voices of those closest to students and advocating for policies that strengthen our schools.
