Georgia must spend more on teacher pay, mental health in schools

Below a U.S. flag, mathematics teacher Evan Shields teaches a ninth grade algebra class at Banneker High School in College Park. (Jason Getz/AJC 2013)

The year was 1985.

Ronald Reagan was president. Andrew Young was reelected mayor of Atlanta. New Coke premiered and quickly fizzled. “Back to the Future” and “Beverly Hills Cop” topped the box office. The Atlanta Hawks’ Dominique Wilkins soared above the competition, including a rookie named Michael Jordan, to win the NBA Slam Dunk competition.

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Table of Contents

Higher teacher salaries

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Smaller class sizes

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More money for mental health services

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Better pay for paraprofessionals

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More help for low-income schools

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Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom’s education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

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