WRDW-TV News 12 / EducationTeam 12 - School news for Augusta, Georgia

School bus accident in North Augusta
Dispatch confirms an accident involving a school bus on West Five Notch Road at the McDonald's.
OPINION: Transforming teacher pay
In this op-ed piece, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue details his plan to change the way teachers are paid.
0 Comments
Governor pushing bill that rewards student performance
Perdue says the state's current system rewards teachers for their level of education instead of classroom achievement.
2 Comments
More than 20 Rich. Co. students given criminal charges so far in 2010
At least 20 students faced criminal charges for their activities in Richmond County schools so far this year. The 13-year-old charged with aggravated battery at Collins Elementary for striking pregnant teacher is the most recent.
18 Comments
Band director accused of having sex with student
The Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School band director is accused of having sex with a 14 year old student.
12 Comments
Gov. Sanford seeks stimulus funds for schools
Gov. Mark Sanford wants $300 million in federal stimulus money for South Carolina, less than a year after fighting against accepting more than $700 million.
3 Comments
Passing rates in math, English lower on SC tests
Results for the first year of South Carolina's new state-standardized tests show fewer elementary and middle school students earned passing marks in English and math.
0 Comments
Ga. technical college enrollment spikes
About 22,000 more students are taking classes at the state's 28 technical college campuses this winter.
0 Comments
Ga. lawmaker wants to expand school vouchers
Rogers' bill would increase the per-student funding from $6,331 to about $9,800 for special needs students.
1 Comment
Glenn Hills students told to aim high, focus on graduation
Students at Glenn Hills High School had the chance to take their future into their own hands Tuesday with their annual career and college fair. Today's fair was part of a bigger push to improve the school's graduation rate.
4 Comments
Senate votes to change definition of 'textbook'
The Senate voted 45-5 on Tuesday to expand the definition of a textbook to include digital devices like e-readers for elementary and high schools.
0 Comments
Community presses Warren Co. BOE to get accreditation back
After the Warren County School board loses their accreditation the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the community gathered to hear from the accreditation board President in a public forum Monday night.
9 Comments
School choice in Richmond County
The following letter from the Richmond County School System outlines the procedure and rules concerning public school choice and zone exemption/hardship waivers.
Public forum on Warren County school accreditation tonight
A meeting is being held tonight to discuss the Warren County School System accreditation and the effect this will have on students and the community.
0 Comments
Students seeing fewer field trips in schools
In this poor economy, one of the hardest places hit with cutbacks have been our schools and field trips are the newest thing on the chopping block. Cutting back the hours at the Augusta Museum of History and Fort Discovery doesn't make it easier, but Richmond County Schools say it's really the lack of bus drivers.
1 Comment
Schools beefing up security, gang prevention after teen's murder
Butler, Cross Creek and Hephzibah high schools have been on heightened security all week, stemming from the shooting death of 16-year-old Brandon Taylor. But now, Richmond County schools are looking to take security a step further to prevention.
7 Comments
SC senators approve healthier meals in schools
South Carolina students couldn't buy honey buns or pizza during the school day under a bill that has received tentative approval.
0 Comments
SC legislators require statewide teacher furloughs
South Carolina teachers statewide must take five days off without pay under a cost-cutting measure approved by a House panel.
1 Comment
SC gets cash to replace bad school
A South Carolina county is getting millions in federal funding to replace a crumbling school that has been used as an example of why education needs more federal help.
0 Comments
Youth homes in SC close after budget cuts
State officials did not say why Carolina Boys Home and the other facilities closed. But they say state and federal funds that help pay for the youths have been cut.
1 Comment
College 'gender gap' favoring women stops growing
According to the Washington-based American Council on Education, more men are now attending college and graduating with a bachelor's degree, reversing the tendency of female undergraduates to outnumber men and outperform them academically.
0 Comments
RS-M Elem/Middle looks for serious upgrades to facilities
It sits on the corner of Ridge Hill Drive and Hazzard Circle but if you ask the parents and students of Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary/Middle, the address and the school's condition are no coincidence.
1 Comment
Aiken Co. school makes AYP for first time in school history
It's the day students and teachers at Wagener-Salley High school have waited for for months, to see if they finally made AYP.
0 Comments
Bedden: Four day school week option not yet discussed
A four-day school week could help trim some of the budget costs in Richmond County. Some school board members believe it would help but other school leaders say there is a lot to consider before making a decision.
8 Comments
Augusta mayor, school superintendent team up to raise money for Haiti
Augusta is making plans to help the children in Haiti. Augusta mayor Deke Copenhaver and school superintendent Dr. Dana Bedden are teaming up to start the Haitian Children's fund.
5 Comments
Parents, teachers, students talk plans for Aiken County schools
Some parents, teachers and students believe new schools built from the ground up would solve the aging problems, while others say renovations will do the trick.
0 Comments
Warren County School Board meets to talk accreditation
More than 200 people came out to voice their concerns over Warren County's schools possible loss of accreditation Tuesday night.
27 Comments
Ga. lottery posts record first-half profits
The Georgia Lottery Corp. says it posted record first-half profits.
1 Comment
SC legislators discuss fewer school days, courses
A shorter school year, less end-of-year testing, and requiring fewer credits to graduate are among ways South Carolina legislators could further cut education.
7 Comments
Godfather of Soul "instrumental" in MLK Holiday
The Martin Luther King, Jr.holiday is observed in all 50 states but it took a lot of political lobbying for it to happen. In fact, South Carolina was one of the last states to recognize the day. Georgia,however, had a famous lobbyist on it's side. Here's a little known fact: The Godfather of Soul - James Brown was part of the driving force behind the holiday.
0 Comments
Local teachers react to potential Georgia pay change
We all know teachers don't go into teaching for the money, but tell them their money will depend on their performance, and you're bound to get at least a few upset.
18 Comments
Expanded school choice for Aiken County parents
Aiken County Public Schools will be offering expanded school choice to parents of elementary students in the district for the 2010-2011 school year.
1 Comment
Only on 12: Employee surprises students in class, ends up tackled
Having a masked, intruder burst into class without warning was where the lesson started, but that's not exactly where it stopped.
8 Comments
Ga. governor wants change in how teachers are paid
Gov. Sonny Perdue is calling for legislation that would pay Georgia's teachers based on student performance, not their advanced degrees.
11 Comments
Richmond County schools brace for budget cuts
Georgia lawmakers are back in session with a big problem. They've got to figure out how to cut another billion dollars from the state budget. Local administrators and school board members are anxiously waiting for news about possible layoffs and more furlough days.
3 Comments
Aiken County schools prepare to launch "PowerSchool" district-wide
A user-name and a password is all Aiken county parents will need to check out what their kids are doing in class in real-time.
1 Comment
SC colleges feel effects of budget cutting
College and universities in South Carolina are feeling the effects of state budget cuts.
0 Comments
Warren County Schools set to lose accreditation, report blames board
After complaints pour in, the Warren County Board of Education is under the microscope. Now, the group that hands out accreditation is recommending it be taken away.
9 Comments
Aiken County Schools seeking public help for upgrades
Aiken County school board members have been talking about upgrades to schools for months and now they want to hear what you think about the multimillion dollar option.
7 Comments
SC lottery money distribution
97 cents of every dollar spent on the South Carolina Education Lottery was returned to the state.
0 Comments
Powerball winner gives $10 million to SC college
The college in Sumter will use the gift to build a new administration building, dormitory and maintenance facilities.
0 Comments
Greenbrier student arrested for hitting teacher with car
A 17-year-old Greenbrier High School student remained in the county jail Thursday after he was accused of striking a teacher with his vehicle after school Tuesday.
21 Comments
Man accused of principal threat makes Alford plea, released
A man accused of threatening to kill the Wagner Salley High School Principal used the Alford plea in an Aiken County courtroom Monday.
5 Comments
Vandals break 158 windows at Copeland Elementary School
Crews repaired windows at Copeland Elementary School after vandals broke 158 windows at the Augusta school. The RCBOE spokesman tells News 12 crews have repaired most of the windows, but nobody has been arrested.
1 Comment
First Tee of Aiken giving more than just golf lessons
The First Tee program is more than a decade old, Augusta has its own branch and now Aiken County joins the ranks of connecting kids with golf.
0 Comments
On Your Side: What are your kids eating at school?
Despite recent national reports that found school food standards lag behind some fast food joints, one nutrition director says school systems rigorously follow them.
1 Comment
Harsh words, no solutions after school transportation meeting
Tension is building between Richmond County school bus drivers and the district. After Thursday transportation council meeting, some strong words and finger pointing...but still no concrete solutions.
7 Comments
Byrd Elementary locked down after parent pulls gun
Students at Byrd Elementary got a letter telling them a parent had been behaving badly.
60 Comments
Parents say school bus "never on time"; drivers say "it ain't my fault"
Furloughs and mandatory pay cuts are beginning to take their toll on school bus drivers. Drivers say work conditions are less than desirable and warn late pick-ups and crowded buses may only get worse.
12 Comments
Only on 12: North Augusta High student works to get solar panels donated to school
Junior Byron Thomas' letter-writing campaign led to thousands of dollars in solar panels being donated. The installation won't cost anything either.
2 Comments