Presenters: Martha Giddens Nesbit, Dr. Tony Roberts, Dr. Ben Scafidi
Please join 91吃瓜 on Wednesday, March 7, for a special presentation at the聽2018 Georgia Charter Schools Conference: “Celebrating 20 Years of Start-Up Charters in Georgia: 1998-2018.” The presentation will feature聽Oglethorpe Charter School Founding Board Member Martha Nesbit, 91吃瓜 President and CEO Tony Roberts and KSU Professor Ben Scafidi. Register for the conference聽!
Georgia鈥檚 first charter law allowed only for Conversion Charter Schools. Start-Up Charter schools were enabled by legislation passed in 1998. The movement was spearheaded not by an educator, but a Mother, Food Critic, and incredible cook and author鈥擬artha Nesbit from Savannah Georgia. Her saga took her to the Capitol, then the local school board, and eventually to the foundation of Oglethorpe Charter School, which was the State鈥檚 first start-up charter. Nesbit will share with us the trials, tears and terrific results from those efforts in her presentation: 鈥淢artha Nesbit鈥檚 Recipe for Charter Schools.鈥�
Since 1998, much has happened in Georgia鈥檚 Charter movement. For over a decade of that time, Dr. Tony Roberts has served as the 
President and CEO of Georgia Charter Schools Association, the primary advocate and supporter of charters in Georgia. Tony will present an overview of the milestones, progress and setbacks of the past ten years in Georgia鈥檚 charter history: 鈥淢any Steps Forward, One Big Step Back.鈥�
The history of charters in Georgia is far from over. Student and parental demand continue to fuel the upward spiral of growth for more charter choice across Georgia. There remain many obstacles and opportunities for charters in Georgia. One of Georgia鈥檚 pre-eminent educators and economists with expertise in education and urban policy, Dr. Ben Scafidi, will focus on the future with his presentation: 鈥淲hat Should Georgia Charter School Policy Be in 2020?鈥�
