Georgia Representatives Slice Possible Lifeline for Kids in Failing Schools In a move that has left many parents and educators in Georgia outraged, state representatives have voted to cut funding for a program that provides scholarships to students in failing schools. The program, known as the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship, was created in 2007 to help children with disabilities attend private schools that could better meet their needs. However, the program has since been expanded to include students in failing schools, giving them the opportunity to attend private schools as well. The decision to cut funding for the program was made as part of the state's budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The move has been met with criticism from parents and educators who argue that it will hurt the most vulnerable students in the state. The Georgia Special Needs Scholarship program was created to help children with disabilities attend private schools that could better meet their needs. However, the program was later expanded to include students in failing schools, giving them the opportunity to attend private schools as well. The program has been successful in helping students who were struggling in their current schools to find success in private schools. The decision to cut funding for the program has been met with criticism from parents and educators who argue that it will hurt the most vulnerable students in the state. Many of these students come from low-income families and do not have the resources to attend private schools without the help of the scholarship program. The decision to cut funding for the program is particularly concerning given the state of education in Georgia. According to a report by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, Georgia ranks 41st in the nation in terms of student achievement. The report also found that the achievement gap between low-income students and their wealthier peers is widening in Georgia. The Georgia Special Needs Scholarship program was created to help address these issues by providing students with the opportunity to attend private schools that could better meet their needs. However, the decision to cut funding for the program will make it more difficult for these students to access the education they need to succeed. In addition to hurting students, the decision to cut funding for the program will also hurt private schools in the state. Many of these schools rely on the scholarship program to stay afloat financially. Without the program, these schools may be forced to close their doors, leaving even fewer options for students in the state. Overall, the decision to cut funding for the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship program is a blow to students, parents, and educators in the state. It is a short-sighted decision that will have long-term consequences for the education system in Georgia. It is time for state representatives to reconsider their decision and invest in the future of Georgia's students.