ATLANTA – After months of revisions, Georgia officials have finalized the list of the state’s lowest-performing schools, confirming that more than 400,000 students will be eligible for private school vouchers or home-schooling assistance. The Governor’s Office of Student Achievement released the updated list on Friday, making only minor changes to the previous versions.
Few Changes Despite Months of Adjustments
Officials had initially released a list in December but retracted it twice for recalculations. The latest version, however, remains largely the same, with only a few schools added or removed. Students assigned to the lowest-performing 25% of schools, based on Georgia’s academic rating system, can apply for what the state calls “promise scholarships.”
That translates to a $6,500 voucher per eligible student, which can be used for private school tuition or home-schooling expenses. The finalization of the list marks a significant milestone for the program, which has been at the center of education policy debates in Georgia.
Who Is Eligible?
The law allows students attending low-ranked schools to apply for scholarships, but the Georgia Education Savings Authority has interpreted the measure more broadly. Under its guidance, even students who live in a school’s attendance zone—regardless of whether they attend that specific school—are eligible.
This means that if a middle school appears on the list, elementary and high school students in the same district can also apply for the voucher. The broad eligibility criteria have dramatically expanded the pool of potential applicants, raising questions about the program’s long-term financial impact.
Impact on School Districts
An analysis by the Associated Press found that every student in 65 of Georgia’s 180 traditional school districts qualifies for the program. Some of the most heavily affected areas include:
- Richmond County (Augusta) and Bibb County (Macon): Every student in these districts is eligible.
- Rural Districts: Many of the districts where all students qualify are in smaller, less populated areas.
- Urban Areas: While some larger cities have qualifying schools, not all students in those districts are eligible.
The widespread eligibility has raised concerns among public school advocates, who fear that funding could be diverted from already struggling districts.
Funding and Controversy
The $6,500 vouchers will be funded through state tax dollars, raising concerns about the potential strain on public education budgets. Critics argue that diverting funds to private schools and home-schooling could weaken struggling public schools further.
Supporters, however, see the program as an opportunity for families to seek better educational options. “This is about giving parents choices,” said a spokesperson for the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement. “If a school isn’t meeting a child’s needs, they should have the freedom to find one that does.”
Public school advocates, meanwhile, worry that the system disproportionately affects low-income communities, which may lack access to high-quality private schools. Some also question whether $6,500 is enough to cover private tuition, especially in metro areas where costs can be significantly higher.
What’s Next?
With the list now finalized, families will soon begin the application process. The Georgia Education Savings Authority is expected to issue detailed guidance on how and when parents can apply for the vouchers.
The rollout of the program will be closely watched by policymakers and education experts. As the first wave of students transitions out of public schools using the vouchers, state officials will likely assess the financial and academic impact of the program in the coming years.
