Rep. Stovall was recently appointed to the Georgia Literacy Commission in June 2017 - as a result of the Deloitte study the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education partnered with Literacy For All to create this commission. It is comprised of 20 leaders throughout Georgia who are interested in changing the state's trajectory relating to low literacy. The study revealed the potential crisis looming for Georgia's businesses that are already struggling to identify an educated and literate workforce. This need will continue to grow in the future.  Co-chairs: Ga. 1st Lady Sandra Deal, Phil Jacobs (retired At&T Pres. in Ga.), Teya Ryan (Pres. & CEO Ga. Public Broadcasting), and Wendell Dallas (VP Operations Atlanta Gas Light)
*1 in 6 adults in Ga. have low literacy skills
*Impact on state's economy =$1.3 billion
*By 2018, 88% of all jobs in Ga. will require high school diploma or post-secondary credentials

*Click to view the report: The State of Literacy in Georgia: Action Needed For Georgia's Thriving Workforce and Economy
Upcoming Ga Literacy Commission Hearings: Columbus (July 21), Tifton (Aug. 14), Milledgeville (Aug. 31) and Dalton (Sept. 21).
Click to listen to recording of 1st Commission mtg on June 21 
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We Danced On The Bridge In Morrow!
Over 300 people danced on the I-75 Morrow Bridge (Southlake exit) on May 6th in celebration of parents and community members who have volunteered 12 hours or more in the schools in District 74. Each year over 200 outstanding individuals are presented with certificates. There were musical performances by local artists (Nita & Zamarr Music Ministries, Angelic Pearls Dancers, God's Favor Dancers of Seeds of Greatness Church, music by DJ Rollem, other entertainment, food and fun fellowship. Thanks to our Sponsors: The City of Morrow Police Department, Peach State Health Plan, Chick Fil A- Forest Park, MARTA, and Ambitious Initiative. 

Exhibitors: Center for Disease Control, Clayton County Library System, PROOF, Healthy M Powers, Peachstate Health Plan, Shalandice Designs, Aniz, Inc., 50 CAN, National Hook Up of Black Women, and Clayton County Sheriff's Dept. Rep. Stovall gave Legislative Updates from 2017 session by discussing recent passage of bills and the 3 bills she introduced.

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Rep. Stovall enjoys visiting locations in District 74, across the state and nationally. She is able to gain better insights and share these experiences with those she serves. Economic Development/Job Creation and Education (Birth to Adult) are her main focus. Although the Legislative Session is on break until Jan. 8, 2018, the work doesn't stop. 

South Metro Ed. Ctr./Ash St. School (faculty/staff appreciation)      
     

         100 Black Men Annual Conf- Education Panel                  Video Cameras Parent Mtg.  

    
     
             GEEARS Tour across Georgia                   Regina Sunshine Show "Living Like A BOSS"
                  

        WABE 90.1FM Education Forum               Jackson HS College Trunk Party (Southside Alumni)     
                        

   She's A Bosse Self-Esteem Prog., School Bd Member Jessie Goree (visit Church St. Elem., Oliver Elem., Forest Park HS)
      
                                                                                         

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For current updates on Bills Signed into Law by Governor Deal click here

NEW LAWS OF INTEREST:
*HB 280- Campus Carry- starting July 1 individuals 21 yrs. & older are allowed to carry concealed handguns on some parts of public colleges & universities campuses, must be licensed. Many institutions have been conducted information sessions. There are mixed feelings about this law. It was heavily debated during session. My opinion: Voted NO, because I am very concerned that the purpose of the bill didn't really account for all measures of safety although I believe in the right for individuals to carry handguns. I would have preferred more money allocated to enhance campus security and better intergovernmental relations with local law enforcements surrounding the campuses. Naturally, I am concerned because my daughter, niece, nephew, family members and constituents are attending colleges in Georgia. Click to read article

*HB 338- The First Priority Act-School Turnaround - starting July 1 details the measures that will be used by the Georgia State Board of Education to intervene in schools in the bottom 5 percent. The districts will amend their flexibility contracts to allow it. A Chief Turnaround Officer will be hired to oversee these schools. This was a bi-partisan vote. My opinion: Voted YES, because Accountability of student achievement by all is imperative. We can no longer allow students to continue to be "socially promoted to the next grade level for purpose of making statistics look good". Let's be honest about the status of these students so we can get them the help they need to become productive citizens not a burden on society. Each year a student is turning 18 yrs. old and is no longer the K-12 school district's responsibility, but now becomes the concern of each citizen. As a state we allocated $1.6 billion for the Corrections Dept. out of $24.9 billion statewide budget FY 2018 at the same time over half is allocated to education. When does it stop?  Click to view

*SB201- Family Care Act- starting July 1, requires employers to allow employees to use some of their earned and available sick leave to care for the employee’s immediate family member (spouse, child, grandchild, grandparent, parent, or any dependent on most recent tax return). It only applies to employers with 25 or more employees and applies to the State of Georgia and its political subdivisions and instrumentalities. My opinion: Voted YES, because sickness happens and employees shouldn't have to lie about their absences in order to care for a sick family member. Click to view

*HB 341- Revision of law relating to crimes and offenses and punishment for sexual offenders including human trafficking. My opinion: Voted YES, because as criminals become more savvy with sexual offenses, revisions to current law are necessary to address punishment and offenses. I am doing my part to ensure the information gets to the community by distributing flyers and handouts to local businesses. These flyers were developed by Joanne Southerland at Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services Dept. Contact her 770-473-7833 or contact my office. Click to view 

Chief Merkison, Clayton Co. Fire & Emergency Services

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Rep. Stovall's bills introduced in 2017 are eligible for passage during 2018 session:

*HR 279- designates Single Parents Day on March 21 in Georgia, designates Childhood Cancer Awareness Day on Sept. 1. (passed House, awaits passage in Senate) Click to view

*HB 423- requires local school district to offer unused facilities to state charters at no cost and if sold it must be sold for no more than $1 (tabled in House Education Committee) Click to view

*HB 493- amends the open meeting act to require public comments be included in any video recording of public meetings held by commissioners, city councils, and school boards (passed Gov. Affairs committee) Click to view

*HB 430- Co-sponsored Charter School Reform (signed into law) Click to view

ESSA (Every Student Succeed Act) is the substitute of No Child Left Behind requires all states to submit their plans that address standards, assessments, school and district accountability, and special help for struggling schools and students. Georgia has its draft ready for comments July-Aug. 2017 Click to view

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Make a Campaign Donation of $25 or more to support Rep. Stovall's outreach work

www.Gostovall.com

Rep. Stovall 2017 Legislative Agenda

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Are you interested in serving on the 2018 Steering Committee for Educate Ga Summit, send email to hello@ambitiousx.org
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Jan. 20-24, 2018 at Ga. State Capitol

Did you miss the 2017 Educate Ga Summit ?
Click here to view the Recap

Over 700 attendees from around Georgia joined together under the "Big White Tent" in Liberty Plaza for 2 days at the State Capitol. Experts served as panelists and facilitators. There was an Education Leaders Panel with Chair Coleman-House Ed, Chair Tippins-Senate Ed, Chair Millar-Senate Higher Ed, Chair Royal-State Bd of Ed. Questions were answered during one on one conversations with State Superintendent Richard Woods.
Updates on the future of education were delivered by Speaker Ralston and Governor Deal. 

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Read more information on featured articles & resources

Did you know high school students can attend high school & college simultaneously at no cost to parents? 
www.mowrga.org

Adult Protective Services for Senior Adults & other resources
https://aging.georgia.gov/adult-protective-services-aps

Job Search
http://dhsjobs.dhs.ga.gov/Public

HB 614 Landon Dunson Act
http://www.news-daily.com/news/gov-deal-signs-rep-stovall-s-landon-dunson-act-into/article_5bac50f0-799c-5a84-8461-610c8fbe1489.html

Women In Politics Award
http://www.ncsl.org/legislators-staff/legislators/womens-legislative-network/women-in-politics-making-a-difference-awards.aspx

2016 Educate Ga Summit Recap
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwBBw5qsi_QSZjR6ckJwMV9vNk0/view

Chris & Kyle Massey Brothers Honored at Capitol
http://www.j-14.com/posts/chris-and-kyle-massey-have-been-honored-for-their-humanitarian-and-entertainment-achievements-91248

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The new CCRPI scores have been published. For more info click http://gosa.georgia.gov/ Did your school show improvement?