A Cobb County School bus moves on street Friday, March 13, 2020, in Kennesaw, Ga. Georgia's second-largest school district on Thursday, July 14, 2022 approved a policy allowing some employees who aren't certified police officers carry guns in schools, but excluded teachers from those who can be armed.

A Cobb County School bus moves on street in Kennesaw, Ga.

Credit: AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File

The panel

Giulia Heyward, @giuliaheyward, national education reporter, Capital B

Jim Galloway, @JimJournalist, retired columnist, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Laura Corley, @Lauraecor, Civic Journalism Fellow, The Macon Newsroom

Maureen Downey, @AJCGetSchooled, columnist, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

 

The breakdown

1. Reps. Barry Loudermilk and Marjorie Taylor Greene pleaded with President Trump to call off rioters on Jan. 6.

  • Greene later claimed she thought Antifa was behind the attack.

Jim Galloway describes Georgia's involvement in last night's January 6th Committee Hearing.

2. Georgia passed a ban on "divisive concepts." What does that mean for classrooms this fall?

  • Georgia House Bill 1048 bans the teaching of nine concepts regarding race in the classroom. 
  • Amidst high teacher burnout, some are concerned additional oversight might discourage teachers from their work.
  • Cobb County schools came under fire after proposing a new logo that resembles Nazi imagery. The school system claims it was meant to evoke U.S. Army imagery.

 

3. Following the Uvalde shooting, school safety became a front-of-mind issue for educators.

  • Clayton County schools will be moving to a clear backpack policy.
  • Schools have seen more policing and resource officers since the Columbine shooting. However, the Parkland and Uvalde shootings highlight failures to respond. 

Maureen Downey on the state of school safety.

4. Teacher burnout threatens to understaff state schools.

  • The Georgia Department of Education released a report on the causes of teacher burnout.
  • The gubernatorial race has addressed teachers directly: Stacey Abrams proposed a $50,000 minimum salary for teachers in an attempt to attract professionals. Gov. Brian Kemp raised teacher salaries by $5,000 over four years.

Laura Corley describes the virtual teaching arrangement in Bibb County.

Monday on Political Rewind: We'll answer your questions surrounding the student loans crisis on Monday. Leave us a voicemail at 404-494-0421.

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