Fulton District Becomes Largest Charter System in Georgia

Accountability move seen as game changer

The 93,000-student Fulton County school district in suburban Atlanta has become the largest district in Georgia to make a pact with the state to create strict accountability standards in return for Georgia dropping some of its regulatory requirements.

Fulton will now be considered a "charter system" starting in June, with more control over issues such as spending, seat time for students, and teacher pay. It joins 15 other districts in the state that have been granted that status since Georgia passed a law establishing charter systems in 2007.

Robert Avossa, the superintendent of the district, said the move could be a "game changer" for the ethnically and socioeconomically diverse district, but acknowledged that the freedom comes with some apprehension: It is easier to stick to rules and regulations that have been...