Strategic Waivers School System

Definition:
A local district that has a performance contract with the SBOE (State Board of Education) granting the district freedom from specific Title 20 provisions, SBOE rules, and GaDOE (Georgia Department of Education) guidelines

Facts & Features:
Contract is between the district and the SBOE
GOSA (Governor’s Office of Student Achievement) role is target setting and performance monitoring
District gains flexibility to innovate in exchange for increased academic accountability

Relative Advantages/ Disadvantages:
Flexibility to innovate
Financial savings possible from waivers
Loss of governance over schools that fail to meet performance targets after five years
No school-level governing boards

Federal/State Compliance:
Must comply with all federal laws and regulations

Must comply with all state laws, rules and regulations not waived by the SWSS/IE2 contract

As of July 1, 2015, districts that chose the IE2 flexibility option are now known as Strategic Waivers School Systems (SWSS). Ref: House Bill 502