GA Department of Education

Richard is originally from South Georgia. He has a bachelor's degree from Kennesaw State University and a master's degree from Valdosta State University. He and his wife, Lisha, live in Tifton.

Richard was a high school teacher for 14 years. He also worked as assistant principal, principal, curriculum director, testing coordinator, pre-k director, and alternative school director. He used to own a small business.

Richards Woods is currently the superintendent for the Georgia Department of Education. He was first elected in 2014 and is currently serving his second term.

Atlanta Magazine

Wants to replace Common Core with "Georgia grown curriculums".

Wants parents to be more involved with their child's education.

As superintendent, reduced the number of high stakes standardized tests in Georgia, such as the end of year milestone tests from the US Department of Education.

As superintendent, moved standardized testing to the end of the school year to make more room for classroom instruction.

Supports updating the Quality Basic Education formula to reflect the funding needed for public schools.

- Wants to replace Common Core with "Georgia grown curriculums".
- Wants parents to be more involved with their child's education. 
- As superintendent, reduced the number of high stakes standardized tests in Georgia, such as the end of year milestone tests from the US Department of Education.  
- As superintendent, moved standardized testing to the end of the school year to make more room for classroom instruction.
- Supports updating the Quality Basic Education formula to reflect the funding needed for public schools.

School Curriculum

As superintendent, introduced flexible options for students during the COVID pandemic, which allowed schools to adopt a hybrid model between in-person and virtual learning. This also allowed parents to keep their kids home, if they chose to do so.

As superintendent, opposed CDC recommendations and mask and vaccination mandates, which he called "compassion over compliance."

- As superintendent, introduced flexible options for students during the COVID pandemic, which allowed schools to adopt a hybrid model between in-person and virtual learning. This also allowed parents to keep their kids home, if they chose to do so. 
- As superintendent, opposed CDC recommendations and mask and vaccination mandates, which he called "compassion over compliance."

COVID

As superintendent, issued a one-time bonus to teachers and staff for $1,000.

Supports raising the wages of teachers and the Teacher Retirement System.

Wants to bring back the tax-free holiday for back-to-school supplies, clothing, and equipment to reduce financial pressure on teachers.

- As superintendent, issued a one-time bonus to teachers and staff for $1,000. 
- Supports raising the wages of teachers and the Teacher Retirement System. 
- Wants to bring back the tax-free holiday for back-to-school supplies, clothing, and equipment to reduce financial pressure on teachers.

Teacher Recruitment

As superintendent, increased funding for rural public schools. This funding went to STEM programs and technology supplies, such as computers.

As superintendent, expanded funding and staffing for technical programs and fine arts.

- As superintendent, increased funding for rural public schools. This funding went to STEM programs and technology supplies, such as computers.
- As superintendent, expanded funding and staffing for technical programs and fine arts.

School System Budget

As of October 24, 2022, Richard Woods’s website did not contain information on this issue.

School Violence

Richard Woods

- The State School Superintendent is the Administrative Head of the Georgia Department of Education. They are responsible for putting into action the policies and regulations that come out of the State Board of Education for Georgia’s K-12 public education system. 
- The State School Superintendent provides guidance to the State Board of Education and local school boards on how to comply with new state education laws, such as changes in funding or new curriculum requirements.
- The State School Superintendent can make recommendations to the State Board of Education, a board of 13 members who are all appointed by the Governor and set policies for the public school system.
- The State School Superintendent is elected statewide. They serve four year terms.

The administrative head of Georgia’s K-12 public education system