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Strategic Waivers School System/IE2 » Operating Models & Flexibility Options

Operating Models & Flexibility Options

What is an Investing in Educational Excellence (IE2) System?

  • Definition: A local district that has a performance contract with the State Board of Education (SBOE) that grants flexibility from specific Title 20 provisions, SBOE rules, and Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) policies and regulations.
  • Facts and Features: A local district has a contract with the SBOE, and the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) monitors performance. The system gains flexibility to innovate in exchange for increased academic accountability.
  • Relative Advantages/Disadvantages: A local district has the flexibility to innovate and benefits from possible savings from waivers. The local district will lose governance over schools that fail to meet targets after five years.
  • Federal/State Compliance: A local district must comply with all federal laws and regulations, and all state laws, rules and regulations that are not waived by the IE2 contract.

What is a Charter System?

  • Definition: A local district that has an executed charter from the SBOE that grants the district flexibility from almost all of Title 20, SBOE rules, and GaDOE policies and regulations.
  • Facts and Features: The charter is a contract between district and SBOE. The district gains flexibility to innovate in exchange for increased academic accountability, and the district must provide each school with school-based leadership and decision-making authority.
  • Relative Advantages/Disadvantages: A local district has school-level autonomy, and accountability is required. The district benefits from possible savings from waivers and additional per-pupil funding in QBE, if appropriated.
  • Federal/State Compliance: A local district must comply with all federal laws and regulations, and with all state laws, rules and regulations that cannot be waived (e.g., health and safety).

What is a Status Quo System?

  • Definition: A local district that has elected not to request increased flexibility in exchange for increased accountability and defined consequences and opted to remain under all current laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
  • Facts and Features: No performance contract; no district flexibility from Title 20, SBOE rules, or GaDOE guidelines. No waivers granted by the state unless extraordinary circumstances exist.
  • Relative Advantages/Disadvantages: No change is required; no financial savings from waivers.
  • Federal/State Compliance: Must comply with all federal laws and regulations; must comply with ALL state laws, rules and regulations.