Last week, educational entrepreneurs from around the country attended the 4th Annual National Hybrid Schools Conference hosted by Kennesaw State. Featured topics included everything from different learning models to financial considerations to media and messaging. And this week, we celebrated Microschool Week here in Georgia, and nationwide.
So what is the fuss all about?
Microschools and hybrid homeschools are similar, but not quite the same thing. Often described as “the modern one-room schoolhouse,” microschools are small, community-centered learning environments that typically serve fewer than 15 students. They offer flexible, personalized education tailored to the needs, pace and passions of each child. They generally are set up to function like a school, but on a smaller scale.
Hybrid homeschools may appear to be the same, but they serve students who are homeschooling. The “hybrid” factor is that they allow homeschoolers from different families to come together for part of their education, but do the rest of it separately. The proportion of together vs. separate may vary from group to group, or even among members of a hybrid school. In many ways, they are similar to the learning pods that became popular during the pandemic, as even students in public and private schools sought out ways to spend time together, or share adult supervision, when forced to learn remotely.
Why are microschools gaining momentum, especially here in Georgia? We talk about that in this week’s commentary. We also have the latest news and analysis from the last week, including:
- Kemp signs school safety bill
- Savannah’s economic outlook bounces back from hurricane-induced weakness
- Georgia State researchers receive grant to expand dyslexia endorsement program
- Braves reveal All-Star Week fan festival at Cobb Galleria Centre
Have a great weekend,
– Kyle Wingfield
Friday’s Freshest
Expanding student choices is one of the best things a state can do
Georgia’s Promise Scholarship just completed its initial application window, and interest was strong. While state officials are still reviewing applications, we know thousands of parents applied for $6,500 to help them move their children from public school to another educational setting that fits them better. While many wonder if this will help their children, a new study shows that these programs don’t just help those who leave public schools, they help those who remain in public school.
Georgia’s economy is strong, but others are getting stronger
For years, Georgia has steadily improved in many ways. But other states are improving even faster. That’s the upshot of the 2025 edition of “Rich States, Poor States.” This annual publication measuring states’ economic outlook and performance came out on Tax Day – and it shows Georgia losing ground in the uber-competitive race among states.
Regulatory reform efforts stall in 2025 session
Senate Bill 28, labeled the “Red Tape Rollback Act,” was designated as a priority by the Lieutenant Governor’s Office upon its introduction, and it passed the Senate 33-21, along party lines, in late February. Despite interest from the House Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee, which also passed the bill, it ultimately never came to the House floor.
Southern tax reckoning: Georgia risks falling behind
Georgia is used to sitting at the top of the regional heap: the Empire State of the South, home to the unofficial capital of the South, even the “best state to do business” for umpteen years running. But when you occupy that perch, others try to dethrone you. Some of their efforts ought to jolt Georgia out of any complacency it may suffer.
Georgia legislature passes omnibus lawsuit reform bill
The highest priority on Gov. Brian Kemp’s legislative agenda has been signed into law. The General Assembly passed legislation aimed at curbing lawsuit abuse. Senate Bill 68 is a comprehensive tort reform package and is the culmination of an effort to reform Georgia’s judicial landscape.
The Latest
Economy
New report shows impact of Georgia’s transportation and logistics industry
The economic impact of Georgia’s transportation and logistics industry was $107 billion in 2023, according to an economic impact study by the University of Georgia’s Selig Center for Economic Growth. These industries supported more than 578,000 Georgia jobs, or one in nine jobs in the state. From 2010 to 2023, transportation and logistics jobs in Georgia grew by 68%, outpacing the national growth rate of 52%.
U.S. economy slows sharply, shrinking 0.3% in the first quarter, as tariffs weigh
The U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter as President Donald Trump’s economic agenda took effect, according to new data released this week. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis released its advance estimate for first quarter gross domestic product, which found the U.S. economy contracted at an annual rate of 0.3% in the first quarter, which runs from January through March.
Kemp signs bills strengthening Georgia workforce development
Gov. Brian Kemp signed legislation strengthening the state’s workforce pipeline at the Technical College System of Georgia Leadership Summit. Building on recent measures that connect Georgians with career opportunities, each of the bills signed by the governor further opened pathways for learners of all ages to receive the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
Georgia Southern Q4 2024 Economic Monitor: Savannah bounces back from hurricane woes
The Savannah metro area economy resumed growth momentum in the closing quarter of the year as it bounced back from hurricane-induced weakness in the third quarter, according to Georgia Southern University’s newly released Q4 Economic Monitor. The business index for the Savannah metro economy increased 0.5% (2.1% annualized) in the bounce-back fourth quarter of 2024. Tourism indicators recovered sharply while port activity jumped, and retail sales increased strongly.
Education
What should we expect from homeschooling post-pandemic?
Although it is arguably the oldest education model, homeschooling was not legally recognized in all 50 States until the 1990s. For decades before its legalization, homeschooling was nearly unheard of as many homeschool families kept their educational practices underground to evade legal trouble. Fast forward to today, nearly one out of every 20 students in America is homeschooled, according to the 2024 EdChoice Share.
As Gov. Brian Kemp signs Georgia school safety law, supporters look to implement it
Gov. Brian Kemp signed a law that supporters hope will prevent future school shootings like the one that killed two students and two teachers on Sept. 4 at Apalachee High School in Barrow County. House Bill 268 was driven in part by the belief among many that the Barrow County School System didn’t have a full picture of the warning signs displayed by the 14-year-old accused in the fatal shootings.
Georgia State researchers receive grant to expand dyslexia endorsement program
Georgia State University’s College of Education & Human Development has been awarded a $56,566 grant from the Georgia Department of Education. The funding will support the expansion of the college’s dyslexia endorsement program, aimed at equipping educators with comprehensive knowledge and instructional strategies to assist students with dyslexia and related reading disabilities.
Government accountability
Georgia’s online age verification law facing legal challenge
Georgia is the latest state facing a legal challenge over a law that requires social media companies to verify a user’s age. Lawmakers said Senate Bill 351, signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2024, is designed to protect minors from cyberbullying and bad online actors.
How civil forfeiture targets everyday Americans, not kingpins
Civil asset forfeiture is a legal process that allows law enforcement to permanently seize property suspected of being connected to criminal activity, often without requiring that the property owner be convicted or even charged with a crime. Today, civil asset forfeiture stands as a stark example of how the intersection of criminal justice and financial incentives can erode civil liberties, undermine the rule of law, and distract from legitimate public safety priorities.
U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in case of Atlanta wrong-house raid
Justices from both sides of the ideological split on the high court had tough questions for government lawyers defending the wrong-house raid of a West Atlanta family. Trina Martin and her boyfriend Toi Cliatt were sleeping in the middle of the night in 2017 when an FBI SWAT team knocked down their front door and stormed into their home. Martin’s son Gabe said he woke up in his bedroom to see an M4 rifle in his face.
Transportation
Making the next surface transportation reauthorization bill fiscally responsible
Congress must reauthorize the federal surface transportation program in 2026, and discussions are beginning. If key House and Senate members want to put transportation investment on a fiscally sound, sustainable basis—meaning no more unfunded programs based on irresponsible federal borrowing—what kind of measures could they consider? One reform that has some congressional supporters’ support is to abolish discretionary grant programs.
President Donald Trump signed an executive action this week softening auto tariffs. Senior administration officials said that the current 25% tariff leveled on imported cars will remain intact but that other similar tariffs, such as tariffs on steel and aluminum, will not stack on top of the 25% auto tariff.
Paving the way for autonomous vehicles
If America is able to lead the AV revolution in the decades ahead, the implications for America’s standing in the world will be immense. Just as Ford’s Model T helped make America the world’s superpower in the 20th century, so can AVs help to maintain that status in the 21st century.
Bonus
The 6 absolute worst places for tipping
It’s become a hot-button issue these days. What are some of the absolute worst places to pony up a few extra bucks in the name of gratuity?
Bipartisan group of lawmakers supporting new scenic trail
Democrats and Republicans from three states are supporting a 287-mile trail that would include Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina. The lawmakers are asking for a feasibility study on the Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail.
Braves reveal All-Star Week fan festival at Cobb Galleria Centre
Major League Baseball and the Atlanta Braves this week unveiled a first look of the Capital One All-Star Village, a fan festival set to take place near Truist Park and The Battery during All-Star Week. All-Star Village will take place July 12-15 throughout the Cobb Galleria Centre, just across the highway with pedestrian bridge access.
Quotes of Note
“I would hope or wish that Congress might have had a certain day limit of the number of days they can stay in Washington. I think we’ve had a lot more accomplished a lot quicker and we wouldn’t have as much procrastination and a delay in putting off and hoping things are going to work out themselves before the Congress addresses the matters that are important. We know what’s required in 40 days.” – Gov. Joe Frank Harris
“All you need is the plan, the road map, and the courage to press on to your destination.” – Earl Nightingale
“If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in five years there’d be a shortage of sand.” – Milton Friedman
