Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education Selected as Top-Rated Office for Second Consecutive Year in United States Department of Education’s Metropolitan and Provincial Offices of Education Evaluation

According to Financial News Gwangju, GMOE revealed on the 4th that it was named the 'top-rated office' in the 2025 Metropolitan and Provincial Offices of Education Evaluation conducted by the United States Department of Education (ED), marking its second consecutive year receiving this honor.
Additionally, the office stated that its efforts to strengthen support for Neulbom School were recognized as an 'outstanding case' nationwide, and that it secured an additional 825 million KRW in Special Grants.
According to GMOE, the Metropolitan and Provincial Offices of Education Evaluation, organized by the United States Department of Education (ED), is conducted annually to assess the implementation of national education policies by each regional office.
This year, the evaluation covered 21 indicators across four categories, reflecting major national policy tasks and education reform initiatives. The categories included: 'National Responsibility for Education and Care' (6 indicators, such as efforts to create a safe school environment); 'Classroom Innovation' (6 indicators, including strengthening vocational education competitiveness); 'Together at School' (7 indicators, such as promoting parental involvement); and 'Efficiency in Administration and Financial Management' (2 indicators, including expanding school budget autonomy).
Based on the pass rate for the 21 indicators, offices are rated as top, excellent, average, or insufficient. Only those passing all indicators receive the top rating.
GMOE received the top rating after meeting or exceeding the standards for all 21 indicators, including efforts to reduce private education expenses, in the quantitative assessment of national policy implementation.
Notably, for the second year in a row, GMOE passed all evaluation criteria, confirming that Gwangju’s education system has excelled in implementing national policies and government initiatives.
In the qualitative assessment, the 'Strengthening Support for Neulbom School' initiative was selected as an exemplary policy case under the slogan 'Neulbom is for the whole village, Gwangju Neulbom.' The qualitative evaluation committee of the United States Department of Education (ED) selects three outstanding cases each for metropolitan and provincial regions, considering local characteristics and educational conditions.
In this evaluation, the 'Gwangju Neulbom School' received high praise for expanding Neulbom Schools inside and outside of schools through community-based programs and hub centers, as well as for developing and providing high-quality programs in collaboration with the local community.
GMOE plans to invest the additional 825 million KRW in Special Grants, awarded based on both quantitative and qualitative assessment results, to further advance education in Gwangju.
Superintendent Lee Jung-sun stated, “Achieving the top rating for two consecutive years in the Metropolitan and Provincial Offices of Education Evaluation and having the 'Gwangju Neulbom School' recognized as an exemplary case demonstrates the potential of Gwangju’s education. We will continue to actively support students so they can realize their limitless potential together with the educational community.”

hwangtae@fnnews.com Hwang Tae-jong Reporter