For nearly 75 years, Southern governors have collaborated in a bipartisan manner to solve problems impacting quality of life and economic vitality in the region.  Improving educational opportunity for Southern citizens always has been paramount to these governors, as they have recognized the importance of cultivating an educated, motivated and productive workforce in order to sustain the region’s long-term economic growth.

Southern governors are actively engaged in the national discussion about how to improve K-12 education and encourage attendance to post-secondary education institutions, and have been working hard within their respective states to identify and implement the policy changes required to meet the education needs of their citizens.

To support our governors’ efforts to develop an educated, productive workforce, SGA implemented Education in the South—A Passport to Opportunity (Passport), an innovative communications initiative designed to keeps kids in high school, increase the academic rigor of their course work and encourage graduation. With the financial support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, SGA worked with nine of its member states to help them develop customized communications plans aimed at connecting kids at risk of dropping out of high school with the policies and programs being put in place by our governors.