The Atlanta area has been a prime resettlement location for refugees since the late 1980’s.
Georgia is now among the top states in the nation for resettlement, with as many as 3,500 refugees coming to the Peach State each year, and at least 63,000 currently residing here.
Many refugees come from nations in conflict and crisis, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, Ukraine and Venezuela, according to the United Nations.
As they’ve arrived in cities like Clarkston – which has a massive immigrant and refugee population in DeKalb County – they’ve needed resources to build a better life. That includes education, and the Global Village Project serves as a middle school for refugee girls in DeKalb County.
Hannah Edber, the director of education at the Global Village Project, says the average student is 14 years old—but is usually behind academically due to their formal education being interrupted.
Following the completion of their time at GVP, Edber says many of the students continued their education at Elizabeth Andrews High School in Stone Mountain.
Some students were older in age for their grade-level comprehension, but Edber says school leaders at Elizabeth Andrews High School allowed refugee students to enroll and earn their diploma up until age 26.
But recently, things changed when a Georgia law – that was already on the books – was implemented. Edber says students over the age of 21 were prohibited from receiving their education through Georgia school systems, like DeKalb County – which includes Elizabeth Andrews High School.
On Tuesday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Edber talked with show host Rose Scott about how the Georgia law created additional roadblocks for refugee students working to earn their high school diplomas.
The DeKalb County Board of Education returned our request for further information and said the following:
“The DeKalb County School District is in the process of creating a night school program for all overaged students who are 21 years and older. The program will allow these students to earn a high school diploma and is expected to launch in January 2024. More details about the program are still being developed and will be available soon.”
