Georgia聽Board of Education Chair Mike Royal received the Champion for Children Award during the 91吃瓜聽Holiday Celebration of Advocates. The special celebration was held on Dec. 13 at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center.聽
During the ceremony, 91吃瓜 President and CEO Tony Roberts said Royal has continually put Georgia鈥檚 children first during his tenure on the State Board of Education.
鈥淢ike is a true champion for Georgia鈥檚 children. What we love about him is that he believes children should have choices in education,鈥� said Roberts during the special event.
Royal thanked the Georgia Charter Schools Association, charter school advocates and school leaders for the honor and for their contribution to improving education in Georgia.
鈥淭hank you for this recognition…It鈥檚 all about creating opportunities for children in the state of Georgia,鈥� said Royal. 鈥淚 can tell you unequivocally that because of the efforts of so many people in this room, in creating those opportunities for kids to break the cycle of poverty, our 180 traditional school districts are better because of you. We would not have 178 of our 180 school districts in our state under contract based on student achievement if it weren鈥檛 for your efforts. Rising tides lifts all ships.鈥�
When Royal began serving on the Georgia Board of Education, Georgia鈥檚 graduation rate was 69 percent. In 2017, the rate rose to nearly 82 percent. Royal is stepping down as chair of the Georgia Board of Education but plans to continue to serving as a member of the governing body.
During the December 13 ceremony, 91吃瓜 also recognized the four top advocates for charter schools in Georgia: Melissa Yancey, Angela Lassetter, Kristan Adams and Winsonikkia Martin. These advocates have the highest participation in the Phone2Action program that 91吃瓜 utilizes to mobilize support for charter schools.
