Controversial Debate at Education and Youth Committee Hearing
A popular Senate Bill, which would require students to take one course containing online learning, drew some controversy when opposing senators debated the bill at a Senate Education and Youth Committee hearing Thursday.
Senator Chip Rogers sponsored and presented Senate Bill 289 to the Education and Youth Committee. Senator and Chairman of the committee, Fran Millar, and Senator Bill Jackson, among others, were strongly in favor of the bill, asserting online learning as the wave of the future and even called the bill an “excellent piece of legislation.” However, Senator Vincent Fort and Senator Freddie Powell Sims took objection to the popular bill.
“I’m against the bill,” Senator Fort said. “I think it’s a bad bill.”
Senator Fort noted reasons for opposing the bill including issues with wording, such as the implication of a “mandate” for students to take an online learning course. Senator Fort also mentioned concerns with how schools would offer the courses, both online and in the classroom, as well as how schools would pay for the course and the cost of the program.
“It undercuts local school systems,” Senator Fort said.
Senate Bill 289 would require elementary and secondary education students to take one course containing online learning, provide end-of-course assessments online, require local school systems to provide opportunities for participation in part-time and full-time virtual instruction programs, and many other purposes.
The proposed bill would take advantage of technology, allow Georgia schools to be at the forefront of technology in the classroom, and allow the state’s brightest students to get ahead with a “blended learning program.”
However, not all of the Georgia counties have and use the same technology, have access to broadband services, or an opportunity to take advantage of or even meet the bill’s requirements.
Senator Freddie Powell Sims of District 12, who covers Georgia counties such as Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, and Terrell, said she has to speak up for the poor counties who can’t afford to pay their bills, pay their teachers, and let alone access online classes.
“They may not have access to broadband,” Sims said. “So when you’re talking about virtual schooling, how are you going to get it there? How are they going to access the web?”
“I think it’s a wonderful idea. I think it’s great. But I’m here to speak up for those counties and those children. If they don’t have access then, it’s not fair.”
Senator Sims recommends that Georgia first makes sure all of the counties have the right infrastructure in place before implementing a program like SB 289.
