Clayton Students, Parents to Learn Fate Today

By Odette Yousef

Atlanta, GA – Today, Clayton County parents and students will learn the fate of their school district's accreditation. Yesterday, a national commission of educators held a phone conference to decide the matter.

In February, SACS, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, warned that the district would lose its accreditation if it doesn't seriously address nine specific mandates. Since then, four of the nine board members resigned, one was removed by his peers, and just yesterday, a state administrative court judge recommended that the governor remove the other four.

A new, corrective superintendent was brought in to get the system back on track, under a contract that was much-criticized. And, the district has found itself with 2000 fewer students than this time last year.

If the national commission reaffirms SACS's recommendation, Clayton County will be the third district in the nation ever to lose accreditation, and the first in about 20 years.

High school seniors and juniors would still be eligible for HOPE scholarships, but may have more difficulty getting into private or out-of-state colleges.