Lt. Governor Casey Cagle today hosted the first annual Georgia Charter System Foundation Award luncheon in Dunwoody. Marietta City Schools was one of 11 charter systems nominated for the award of Comcast’s Charter System Innovation and the Georgia Realtor’s Charter System of the Year Award.  

“Marietta City Schools is a great example of the success that comes from a charter system,” said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle. “It is important that every Georgia student has access to a personalized educational environment suited to their individual skills and goals. In today’s competitive 21st Century global economy, we must ensure that every Georgia student is equipped with the knowledge and training they need to find a high-quality job.  Innovative charter systems are an important tool to provide access to a world class learning environment and I appreciate the Marietta City School’s diligent work to improve education in Georgia.”

Shifting 20 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) sessions from the traditional school year and moving the associated segments to an intensive instruction summer program has been a success at Marietta City Schools. ESOL students still will attend all school days during the regular school year and will continue to receive ESOL services through a blended learning model during the impacted 20 days. Innovations & Inspiration is an outgrowth of the successful Teacher Innovation Grants funded for five years using charter system funding. 

Charter Systems are an education concept created by Lt. Governor Cagle in 2007 with the passage of the Charter System Act to allow public school systems to push the boundaries of innovation and strive for excellence. From the largest, Fulton County, to the smallest and most rural, Warren County; there are 31 approved systems in Georgia.