ATLANTA — The state Department of Education has released a study showing that nearly 1 in 6 of the state’s public schools are rated unsatisfactory or below related to creating a climate of safety.

The ratings were based on a number of factors including student suspensions or expulsions, student drug use, bullying and truancy.

The state will now address the problems with poorly performing school systems.

This study also supplies reasoning for Governor Nathan Deal’s state school takeover agenda, creating Opportunity School Districts.  Under that plan, the governor would have the authority to close failing schools, run them directly through state management, or convert them to charter schools.