GA Department of Education

Richard Woods is from South Georgia. He attended Fitzgerald High School. He has a Bachelors Degree from Kennesaw State University and a Masters Degree from Valdosta State University. Richard is married to Lisha Woods. They are long-time residents of Tifton, Georgia.

Previous to his current position as Superintendent, Richard Woods was a high school teacher for 14 years. He also served in various administrative roles, including assistant principal, principal, curriculum director, testing coordinator, pre-k director, and alternative school director. Richard was also a former small business owner.

Richards Woods is currently serving as the Superintendent for the Georgia Department of Education. He was elected into office 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 the current Superintendent, he 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 the current Superintendent, he 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 in the 21st Century.

- Wants to replace Common Core with "Georgia grown curriculums".
- Wants parents to be more involved with their child's education. 
- As the current Superintendent, he 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 the current Superintendent, he 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 in the 21st Century.

School Curriculum

As the current Superintendent, he 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 the current Superintendent, he opposed CDC recommendations and mask and vaccination mandates. He promoted the phrase "compassion over compliance" in reference to this.

- As the current Superintendent, he 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 the current Superintendent, he opposed CDC recommendations and mask and vaccination mandates. He promoted the phrase "compassion over compliance" in reference to this.

COVID

As the current Superintendent, he issued a one-time bonus to teachers and staff for $1,000.

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

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

Teacher Recruitment

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

As the current Superintendent, he expanded funding and staffing for technical programs and fine arts.

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

School System Budget

As of March 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.