Kennesaw State University’s Office of Government Relations hosted a meeting on Oct. 26 in the KSU Center to start a conversation about changing the face of education in Georgia.
Guest speakers discussed education reform ideas that Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle laid out in his new book, “Education Unleashed.”
“I’m writing this book because I believe that, for too long, we have failed to advance a discussion on a statewide level about how to better adjust the needs of the individual public school students and the people who are integral to educating Georgia’s children,” Cagle wrote in his book.
Cagle explained at the meeting that the government usually lays out education reforms with the idea that one general reform will work for more than one community. He believes that this does not work for every school system.
Cagle’s book is about moving away from this idea and toward a model that focuses on students’ individual needs. He made it clear that anyone interested in helping to reform education in Georgia should be read “Education Unleashed.”
“I created a framework that affords everyone to have a sincere discussion around the way in which they can define success in education for their community,” Cagle said, “but more importantly, around the need of the individual student.”
Marietta City Schools Superintendent Emily Lembeck told the crowd how Cagle helped the school system achieve many of its goals.
“When I read ‘Education Unleashed,’ I learned about the drive behind reforming and reframing the structures of public education,” Lembeck said. “Common sense in uncommon times is always refreshing and rewarding. It also gives me great hope for our future.”
Georgia Sen. Lindsey Tippins, the chairman of the Education and Youth Senate Committee, spoke about how education needs to cover all realms of business. He explained the importance of education and the transition from school to career. Tippins also gave high praise for Cagle’s reforms, comparing them to a telescope.
“You can go out into your yard on a dark night and look up and see the stars, but if you can get a telescope, it brings into view sights that you never dreamed would happen,” Tippins said. “That is what his education plan is doing.”
Former Lt. Gov. Pierre Howard spoke for Cagle’s beliefs on education and his passion as a leader. Howard addressed some of the current issues in education, suggesting that parents should be have a voice at their children’s schools.
After the speakers were finished, Cagle held a book-signing with free copies of ‘Education Unleashed’ and answered questions from students one-on-one.
