Georgia Graduation Stories

Football Friday: Newnan vs Northside [Warner Robins]

2009-12-04T10:06:00.000-08:00

The "Road to the Dome" makes one final stop at Drake Stadium home of the Newnan Cougars. They take on the Northside [Warner Robins] Eagles. Both teams competed in nail biting contests last week, both winning by less than a touchdown. Northside is looking to recapture the state title they won in 2006, but they must defeat the Cougars, a feat no team has accomplished all year.

Tune in to gpb.org/football to enjoy this thrilling showcase of the future of football.

Friday Night Football: Colquitt County at Lassiter

2009-11-24T07:15:00.000-08:00

Georgia Public Broadcasting will have coverage of the Georgia high school football playoffs all the way to the championship game at the Georgia Dome. This week, we feature a first round match up between Colquitt County and Lassiter. Click here to watch the games online!

Colquitt County is coming off an upset victory over Stephenson High School. Can their miraculous Road to the Dome roll on? Will Lassiter be able to continue its string of dominating performances, like last week's 70-49 drubbing of South Gwinnett?

Both schools are known for more than just their great football teams, of course. Colquitt is home to Georgia's 2008 Teacher of the Year.

Lassiter, in turn, was awarded the Georgia Public School of Excellence in 1992,1999 and most recently 2008.

Both schools, this far into the playoffs, have made their marks in football, and this Friday night's contest promises to be a classic. Good luck to the Packers and the Trojans!

Football Friday: Stephenson vs. Colquitt County

2009-11-18T08:58:00.000-08:00

The Stephenson High School Jaguars have their eyes squarely fixed on the State Championship after a shutout win over Bradwell [44-0]in the first round of the playoffs. This week, they host the Colquitt County Packers who also shut out their opponent last week [10-0]. Will Stephenson continue their historic undefeated season or can Colquitt County pull off the upset on the road at Halford Stadium? Tune in to our live webcast this Friday on gpb.org/football to find out!

Football Friday: Sprayberry vs Marist

2009-11-11T08:45:00.000-08:00

The Road to the Dome intensifies this week as the playoffs officially kick off in Georgia. Georgia Public Broadcasting will have coverage of the Georgia high school football playoffs all the way to the championship game at the Georgia Dome. This week, we feature a first round match up between the Sprayberry High School Yellowjackets and the War Eagles of Marist. Kick off will be Friday at 7:30PM from Hughes Spalding stadium. Tune in to gpb.org to watch a live stream of the game.

Football Friday: Roswell vs. Lassiter

2009-11-02T11:40:00.000-08:00

The 2009 Georgia High School football regular season draws to a close this week. As the lights dim on the careers of some high school stars, others will continue on the Road to the Dome. This week, finds GPB.org broadcasting live from Frank Fillman Stadium as the Lassiter Trojans face off against the Roswell Hornets.

Its Senior Night for the Trojans and they are attempting to send off their upperclassmen with an undefeated season. The Hornets enter the game undaunted, as they also tout a perfect 9-0 record. This battle of undefeated teams will determine the Class 5A Region 7 Champion.

Football Friday: Tucker VS Southwest Dekalb

2009-10-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

Dekalb County's Tucker High School and Southwest Dekalb High School enter this week with identical records of 7-1. This match-up, presented by GPB.org's Football Friday series will decide which team can claim the title of best in the county. Its Senior Night for the Tucker Tigers, so they will look to send of their upperclassmen with a resounding victory in the final high school game of their careers.

The game kicks off at 7:30PM this Friday and will be webcast live on GPB.org.

Football Friday: Lassiter vs. Walton

2009-10-23T08:58:00.000-07:00

The temperature may be dropping right along with the leaves, but the competition heats up this week on GPB's Football Friday. The Trojans of Lassiter High School [7-0] look to extend their undefeated season, while the Walton Raiders [6-1] attempt to bounce back from their first loss of the season last week. Tune in to our coverage of this week's game here. Check the Football Friday's website throughout the week for photos and highlights from the games throughout the season.

2009-10-22T10:32:00.000-07:00

You. College. Now.

Governor Sonny Perdue has signed a proclamation declaring October “College Access” month. Throughout October and November, high schools throughout Georgia will be participating in events to highlight college access options. Host an event in your community….the flyers can be ordered FREE at Collegeaccessitems@usg.edu. Simply send your name, school or organization, address, and number requested (in blocks of 500).To view the Governor’s proclamation visit: http://www.usg.edu/educator_prep/documents/college_access_proclamation.pdf.

Georgia Football Friday's

2009-10-14T11:50:00.000-07:00

On this week's edition of "The Road to the Dome" The Lions of Peachtree Ridge HS clash with the undefeated Collins Hill HS Eagles. Peachtree Ridge hosts the matchup at "The Lions Den." Click here to find out more about the team and the school. You can also find out more about Collins Hill and their team here.

The Road to the Dome continues....

2009-10-08T11:41:00.000-07:00

Football Fridays in Georgia, the Road to the Dome, presents a Region 5-AAAA clash between No. 6-ranked Sandy Creek and McIntosh. Be sure to check out the live webcast of the game this Friday night on Georgia Public Broadcasting. Click here to visit and bookmark the site now!

Be sure, also, to check out the websites for each school.

McIntosh High School is known as the Home of the Chiefs. Click here to view a welcome from the principal, Lisa Fine. McIntosh is located in Peachtree City.

The Patriots hail from Sandy Creek High School, where success is a choice. Click here for a message from the principal, Ro y Rabold. Sandy Creek is located in Tyrone.

GA HS Sports: Avondale & Blessed Trinity HS

2009-09-24T13:05:00.000-07:00

Avondale & Blessed Trinity HS

Beyond the Game

Friday night is Football night for most Georgia high schools. Georgia Public Broadcasting and Score Atlanta are collaborating to cover the 2009 high school football season from the first game to the season championships at the Georgia Dome. Check out the Football Fridays in Georgia website for stats, interviews and live streaming of the game. We are all proud of our student athletes and their accomplishments on the field each week. Here are some facts and programs you might not know about our featured schools.

Avondale High School

1192 Clarendon Road

Avondale Estates, GA 30002

www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/Avondalehs

The origins of Avondale High School predate its current community of Avondale Estates. Avondale High School began in 1906 as The Ingleside School, located near DeKalb County's Scottdale community. The faculty numbered 7. Today's 2009 high school is a DeKalb County school with a student body of over 1,000 and faculty and staff of 77.

The mission of Avondale High School posted on the school's website is to prepare all students for college by blending rigourous academic and vocational studies, providing numerous opportunities for Advanced Placement courses, and creating a culture of high expectations.

Avondale students can participate in a long list of clubs and afterschool activities including the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps (AFJROTC). Cadets in this program participate in Aerospace Science Instruction as well as Leadership and Fitness training.

The Avondale High School Touchdown Club, a 501 (c) (3) Private Foundation, has been form

ed to honor the rich history of excellence displayed by the Avondale High School football teams between 1951-1989 and to ensure that the legacy comes alive in today's teams and young football players at Avondale High School.

Bob Burgess, an Avondale alum and former Blue Devils football team member, recalls his grandfather's story of attending The Ingleside School and his father's experience of playing football before it was an 11-man team. Mr. Burgess got his start playing football in the Midway community. Students as young as the 5th grade could start learning the game and earn the experience that would ultimatley create a "feeder" system for AHS. With these deep community roots, Mr. Burgess remembers Avondale's state championship teams, 6,000 fans in the stands every Friday night, scholarships for the players and young student athletes who grew into successful

adults.

This is the legacy that he and the current leadership of the Touchdown Club (Billy Bourn, Bruce Brown, Rick Brown, Calvin Lott, Flemm Mitchell, John Plagman, Johnny Lawson, Perry Stringer and Stacy Burnette) wants to to make sure is available to this new generation of of Blue Devils football teams. Whether it is football socks and shoes, helmets and uniforms, pre-games meals, field equipment along with any other of the many items a team needs, or a cheering fan in the stands, these young players will know what it means to be part of this new community of supports.

Mr. Burgess describes the new Blue Devils team as young men who want to play football, become winners on the field and in the classroom, and who need community help to reach those goals. Visit the website for the Avondale High School Return to Excellence Campaign to learn more about the 2009-2010 team and the efforts of the Touchdown Club to support it.

Blessed Trinity Catholic High School

11320 Woodstock Road

Roswell, GA 30075

www.btcatholic.org

The Class of 2003 was the Charter Class for Blessed Trinity Catholic High School, a co-educational college preparatory institution of Catholic Education of North Georgia, Inc. In the 2007-2008 school year, 8 houses were created at Blessed Trinity to create smaller communities for and to foster a sense of belonging for students. The 40 elected student leaders from each of the 8 houses make up Blessed Trinity's Student Government.

Frank Moore, Blessed Trinity Principal and faculty member, Kathy Hoffman wanted to share the story of Blessed Trinity's Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter. Blessed Trinity's Campus Chapter was initiated 6 years ago through the efforts of a Blessed Trinity Junior and her dad. Now Chapter Advisor Kathy Hoffman reports that over 200 students sign up on Club Day each year to be eligible to participate in the organized "builds" that take place on 3 Saturdays throughout the school year.

A special building project was held on March 21, 2009 when the moms and students from Blessed Trinity and Marist came together for Habit for Humanity Women Build. The group of volunteers were asigned the task of begininng construction on TWO homes in South Atlanta. Beginning with bare slabs of concrete, their efforts by the end of the day had the structures ready for roof construction.

These are just two examples of why Blessed Trinity's Habitat for Humity Campus Chapter has been named one of the top 5 Campus Chapter in the country for 2009. Ms. Hoffman explained that the "Campus" designation refers to more than 400 college and high schools, increasing the competition but also increasing the prestiqe of the award. Criteria for the award include education, advocating, building and fundraising. Ms. Hoffman and Emily Hogan, Student Body President, will accept the award in Chicago at the Habitat for Humanity Annual Youth Conference.

Blessed Trinity has received a $5,000 Matching Grant from State Farm as well as a $2,000 Sta

te Grant towards the school's goalof participating in the Habitat for Humanity Global Village Program.

Visit the website for more information on Habitat for Humanity International.

Remember, visit GPB's Football Fridays in Georgia website as your source for half-time interviews in the Press Box and streaming of the game.

Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation: Promote Physical Activity in Schools

2009-09-23T13:24:00.000-07:00

Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation Announcement

EXCERPTS:
The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation is excited to announce the launch of "60 Ways to Play 60," a global campaign to identify, harvest and promote innovative ways schools can get more students engaged in daily physical activity.

Please register on the site so you can submit entries or nominate organizations you want to enter - and be sure to browse the entries yourself and vote for the ones you like best.

Just as important, we hope you will distribute this information to everyone in your network. Good ideas can come from anyone and any place, so it's critical that as many individuals as possible get an opportunity to participate. We want as many ideas and as many voters as possible.

AN AFFILIATED FUND OF THE ARTHUR M. BLANK FAMILY FOUNDATION
4400 FALCON PARKWAY
FLOWERY BRANCH, GA 30542
TELEPHONE: 770.965.3115
FACSIMILE: 770.965.3185
WWW.AFYF.ORG
Contact: John Bare
Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation
404.367.2062
JBare@Falcons.NFL.com

PRESS RELEASE

EXCERPTS:

"Giving Georgia's kids access to physical fitness activities is critical to reducing childhood obesity in our state," Falcons Owner Arthur M. Blank said. "The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation is keenly focused on this issue, and we think this new campaign will further our efforts in a meaningful way."

The "60 Ways to Play 60" campaign on Changemakers.com seeks new or early-stage
innovative ideas for schools to adopt. The campaign especially encourages entries from kids, but also from parents, teachers, school administrators, coaches, community program administrators and others.

The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation has pledged $1,000 to the innovation drawing the most votes of support from the online Changemakers community, and the Foundation expects to consider grants to help Georgia schools adopt the strongest ideas. Representatives from the first 20 Georgia schools submitting ideas will be invited to a Falcons game during the 2009 season, courtesy of NetMOVE, the official mover of the Atlanta Falcons.

GA HS Sports: Carver-Columbus & Baldwin HS

2009-09-18T10:58:00.000-07:00

Carver-Columbus & Baldwin HS
Beyond the Game

Friday night is Football night for most Georgia high schools. Georgia Public Broadcasting and Score Atlanta are collaborating to cover the 2009 high school football season from the first game to the season championships at the Georgia Dome. Check out the Football Fridays in Georgia website for stats, interviews and live streaming of the game. We are all proud of our student athletes and their accomplishments on the field each week. Here are some facts and programs you might not know about our featured schools.

Georgia Washington Carver High School

3100 8th Street
Columbus, GA 31906

http://www.carverhighschool.com/

On Fridays, the "on the field focus" is on the student athletes and the game they play. Mr. Christopher Lindsey, Carver Principal, asked Georgia Graduation Stories to focus on Carver's Math, Science, & Technology magnet program for our Beyond the Game feature. Thank you to Ms. Joyce Lee for providing information on the Integrated Math, Science & Technology Magnet Program (IMST).

Begun in 1991, Carver's IMST program was designed to serve students who exemplify a strong interest and aptitude in Math and in Science combined with an emphasis on Technology. Students with a strong interest in Math, Science and Technology move through a hands-on curriculum in those areas. In addition, the program offers a well rounded, individualized curriculum for all students. To qualify for the IMST program at Carver, students must successfully complete Advanced Math and maintain a cumulative average of 3.0 or higher in all Math and Science courses. In addition, prospective students must present a letter of recommendation from both a Science and a Math teacher, acceptable scores on standardized tests and an interview with the Principal or Lead Teacher. Magnet School students are required to balance accomplishments at the school with those in the community. For school, each student develops and completes an in-depth research project and a senior seminar. In addition, each student is required to volunteer a minimum of 20 hours annually toward Service Learning and must participate in various Math and Science competitions.

Listed below are just a few of the accomplishments and success stories of the students at Carver's Integrated Math, Science & Technology program:

* 100% pass rate on all portions of the Georgia High School Graduation Test on the first attempt

*Presidential scholarships to major universities

*Recruitment of graduations by such post secondary institutions as University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Auburn University, Vanderbilt, Notre Dame and Tuskegee

*Student appointment to the United States Military Academ at West Point and to the United States Naval Academy

*Winner of Sony Student Abroad Program in Japan

*Regional and state winners at Science Fair and at Math competions

Baldwin High School

110 North ABC Street

Milledgeville, GA 31061

http://baldwin.schooldesk.net/

Mr. Lyn Chandler, Principal, provided background information on Baldwin that describes a High School that is working hard to support and focus on the education needs of all the students in the school.

Educating Everyone Takes Everyone

Educate to Graduate

This philosophy describes the approach the faculty and staff use to educate the approximately 1,400 Baldwin students. Indications are that their approach is working. There has been an upward trajectory in Baldwin's graduation rate, including a marked increase in 2008 (69.3%) and 2009. These statistics are matched by a corresponding decrease in the student dropout rate.

Milestones for Baldwin High School include:

*Govenor's Challenge Cup Award for Gain on the SAT

*Georiga Work Ready Grant

*II-D ITEE Grants in Science & Math

*Enterprise Small Learning Communities Grant

*GLRS SPDG Project (Georgia Graduation / Dropout Prevention Project

Athletics, particularly Football and Basketball, are an outstanding feature at Baldwin High School. Another point of pride for the BHS community is the school's Visual and Performing Arts program. Baldwin High School is one of the few Georgia high schools with a program that students can follow to earn a Fine Arts Endorsement on their diploma. Students can participate in Band, Choral, Dance and Theater as well as Visual Arts and Gallery work. Fame, the Musical is scheduled to be the Theater Department's fall '09 production.

The big news is that Baldwin High School is renovating and building a new Fine Arts Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, complete with a 1,000 seat auditorium. Thank you to Mr. Lyn Chandler, Baldwin's Principal, for the images of the soon to be Fine Arts Center.

See more pictures in a slide show format.

Grady HS Art Students Create Dinosaur Feet for GPB

2009-09-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

Grady HS Art Students & GPB Collaborate on Dinosaur Project

Is it a bad dream or have you been seeing dinosaur feet all over Metro Atlanta? You are not dreaming. The feet are as real as possible for being the appendages of creatures long gone from earth. The feet are 4' tall; one pair organge; one pair green. They have been spotted on top of cars, at soccer games, church parking lots, at a children's museum and at other dinosaur friendly locations. They were created to draw attention to Georgia Public Broadcasting's Dinosaur Week, September 13-18, 2009.

Students in both the set design and sculpture classes at Grady High School, under the leadership of Art Chair, John Brandhorst, crafted the feet. Sophomore Iris Schaer took a leading roll in the initial phases of the project. The feet were sketched out, carved and molded from styrofoam then painted and treated with two coats of urathene to create a resilient surface.

Mr. Brandhorst accepted the commission from Georgia Public Broadcasting in order to provide his students with a real and connected project that mirrors industrial design projects in the real world of work.

Check out the slide show to see complete process for making dinosaur feet.

The structures are modeled after the feet of characters Buddy and Tiny from Dinosaur Train, the new PBS pre-school program created by the Jim Henson Company. The show combines a child's love of trains and dinosaurs while encouraging basic scientific thinking and skills along with learning about natural science, history and paleontology.

Check out the great offerings from GPB Television, Radio and Education as we all celebrate Dinosaur Week!

Thank you to John Brandhorst for the photographs documenting the creation of the dinosaur feet by the Grady HS students.

GA HS Sports: McEachern HS & Woodstock HS

2009-09-09T08:58:00.000-07:00

McEachern HS & Woodstock HS

Beyond the Game

Friday night is Football night for most Georgia high schools. Georgia Public Broadcasting and Score Atlanta are collaborating to cover the 2009 high school football season from the first game to the season championships at the Georgia Dome. Check out the Football Fridays in Georgia website for stats, interviews and live streaming of the game.
We are all proud of our student athletes and their accomplishments on the field each week. Here are some facts and programs you might not know about our featured schools.

McEachern High School

2400 New Macland Road

Powder Springs, Ga 30127

www.mceachernhigh.org

When asked about the historic setting for McEarchern High School, Principal Regina Montgomery talked about meeting folks who attend grades 1-12 at this school in its earlier days. She has also met families that go beyond that to enroll their children and even grandchildren in the current McEarchern. A statement from the website school website states that "our traditions are based on a quality education and high standards for all." A McEachern alum describes his experiences at the school as being the product of a top notch facility and outstanding teachers and providing him with all the tools he needed for success.

What is now McEachern High School began in 1908 as the Seventh District Argricultural and Mechanical (A & M) School. The donation of land and the financial support of John Newton McEachern and other community leaders made the original building project possible. In 1933, the A & M School closed and a consolidated Cobb Co. school was created, later named for John McEarchern. Visit the school website to learn more of the history and to see photographs from each era and school programs.

McEachern offers programs and services to students in grades 9-12 in academics, fine arts, athletics and organizations. Students in grade 9 meet most of their classes in the Freshman Center. In the spring of their 8th grade year, rising Freshman are registered for the Center. This program allows teachers and students to be in tune with educational needs and fosters habits of success at this critical juncture of high school education.

Woodstock High School

2010 Town Lake S Drive

Woodstock, GA 30189

www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/woodstock-hs

Woodstock High School opened in 1996 with freshman and sophore classes. Each year, a new class of freshman was added until the full 9-12 education program was implemented. Current students can select from tech-prep to advanced placement courses. The 1998-1999 school year marked the begining of varsity sports at Woodstock. Their teams are know as the Wolverines.

Freshman students and their success are still an important part of Woodstock High School today.The Wolverine Academy (Freshman Academy) was created in the 2008-2009 school year. It allows 9th grade students to make the transition to high school while offering the structure they need to perform well academically and socially through a supportive school environment. Wolverine Academy leadership is provided by an Assisstant Principal, Graduation Coach, Guidance Counselor and Careers Facilitator. Statistics provided by Woodstock High School indicate that the passing rate for freshman has increased from 72% to 84% after just one year of the program. Visit the Wolverine Academy website for more details on the program and to learn the names of the Outstanding Freshman for the Week.

Registration Opens for GPEE Bus Trip #17

2009-09-08T10:37:00.000-07:00

Applications Currently Being Accepted

Visiting a classroom in a Georgia school keeps you informed of some of the best practices that are happening in our state to effect student success. The 17th Bus Trip Across Georgia, sponsored by the Georgia Parntership for Excellence in Education, provides the opportunity for those kind of thoughtful school visits.

On-line registration is now open for indivduals interested in applying for the trip scheduled for Oct. 27-29, 2009. School visits include:

*Amana Academy, Alpharetta, Fulton Co. Schools

*Centennial Arts Academy, Gainesville, Gainesville City Schools

*Georgia College Early College, Middedgeville, Georgia College and State University, and the Oconee Regional Educational Service Agency

*Morgan County High School, Madison, Morgan County

*Unity Elemenatry School, LaGrange, Troup County

*Parks Middle School, Atlanta, Atlanta Public Schools

Application deadline: Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Day of Discovery for GA Education Leaders

2009-09-03T07:38:00.000-07:00

GA Graduation and Collaboration Coaches Highlighted

2009-09-01T10:54:00.000-07:00

SOLUTIONS TO THE DROPOUT CRISIS

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

3:30-4:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Graduation & Collaboration Coaches: Working Effectively Together

presented by
Dr. Laura Brown and Ms. Fran Bay

*Learn how Graduation & Collaboration Coaches have contributed to an increase in Georgia's Graduation rate

*Learn about the roles of these Graduation & Collaboration Coaches

This webcast will address a framework for dropout prevention that has been effective in Georgia. The state's Graduation Coach program provides early intervention services to students at risk for dropping out of school. The state's graduation rate has increased from 72.3% in 2007 to 75.4% in 2008 - a record high. This 3.1% rate increase represents 8,277 additional graduates for the 2007-2008 school year. The State's dropout rate decreased from 4.1% to 3.7%. Georgia also funds Collaboration Coaches to assist middle and high schools in developing support for students with disabilities. Schools implement strategies for engaging students academically and behaviorally as well as focusing on affective needs.

On the day of the webcast, log on 10-30 minutes early to ensure you are connected to the broadcast @ www.dropoutprevention.org/webcast. You should just hear music until the program begins @ 3:30. If you have problems connecting, call Eric Rodgers @ 864.656.4550.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
Supplementary materials are now available online. All necessary information about participating fully in this professional development opportunity is found on the website. For further questions, contact the National Dropout Prevention Center or call 864.656.2580.

PARTICIPATION IN THE WEBCAST
Participation in this webcast is free and no registration is required. The program will be archived in its entirety on the website. On the day of the webcast, link to the broadcast. This webcast is produced with support from Penn Foster. If you have trouble with the link, copy and paste the entire address listed below into your web browser:

http://www.dropoutprevention.org/webcast

Georgia Fine Arts Standards Open for Public Comment

2009-09-01T08:27:00.000-07:00

Georgia Department of Education Invites Public Comment on the New Fine Arts Standards

August 13, 2009, Georgia's State Board of Education approved Draft Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) for Fine Arts Education. These standards were developed in the spring and summer of 2009 by Georgia Arts Educators, School Administrators, Teaching Artists and Community Leaders under the guidance of the Georgia Department of Education.

Review & Comment

October 12, 2009: draft standards for K-12 Dance, Music, Theater Arts and Visual Arts are posted for 60 days of public review and comment.

Time Line for Implementation

November 5, 2009: draft standards currently scheduled to be presented to the State Board of Education for approval

February, 2010: training for Administrators and Fine Arts teachers begins

For questions or more information, contact:
Pam Smith, Curriculum and Instructional Services Director
404.463.4141
PamSmith@doe.k12.ga.us

Multi-Media Campaign Dedicated to Childhood Obesity in Georgia

2009-08-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

Stopping Childhood Obesity in Georgia

Student health and well being are factors that contribute to school success and ultimately high school graduation. Aetna and Georgia Public Broadcasting invite you to the launch of a multi-media campaign dedicated to Childhood Obesity Prevention.

Follow Georgia Graduation Stories on Facebook.

Student's Art for an Important Cause

2009-08-12T12:16:00.000-07:00

Georgia Student Wins Contest to Prevent Youth Gambling Problems

Cedric Brown is the 1st place winner in a contest sponsored by The Pathelogical Gambling Project sponsored by the social research lab at Georgia State University. In a drawing using acrylics, Cedric spoke to the idea that gambling is a destructive influence. Because he is interested in a career in visual arts, Cedric felt it was best to take advantage of this opportunity. He also said that since he is now a high school graduate, he is no longer eligible for as many opportunities available for young people. Hearing about the opportunity to participate in billboard campaign, Cedric said he "would take my last shot". As a first place winner, Cedric received a cash prize and will see his artwork on display on four billboards located throughout Georgia.

Followers of the Georgia Graduation Stories blog will recognize Cedric as one of the seven young people who traveled to China in 2008 as part of the Metro Atlanta's Boys & Girls Clubs' (Youth Art Connection) Beijing Program. Check out the posts under the Beijing Program labels.
You can also see the online version of the recently released China Book.

Cedric is a 2009 graduate of DeKalb County's Redan High School, and he will be attending Georgia Perimeter College this fall.

THE CONTEST

The Billboard Campaign on Youth Gambling Prevention was one strategy of the Pathological Gambling Project at Georgia State to prevent early onset of gambling problems among Geogia's youth. The Project used social marketing networks to address the fact that young people are at high risk for this problem.

The Project has the support of Gov. Sonny Perdue through his annual proclamations issued the 1st week of March on gambling prevention. MARTA message boards in their train stations and college radio stations are other outlets for this important message.

For more information, contact
Ayana Perkins, MA
Intervention Coordinator
GSU Pathological Gambling Project
404.663.1506
asperkins7@student.gsu.edu

Follow Georgia Graduation Stories on Facebook.

Georgia Students Invited to Join State Advisory Council

2009-08-11T07:37:00.000-07:00

Superintendent Cox Seeks Student Advisors

Are you able to describe the biggest issue confronting students in your school? Do you have ideas as to how to address the issue?
What do you think a world-class education for you and your peers should be?

If these are questions that matter to you, and you think you have something to contribute to this discussion, then consider applying for membership in Superintendent Cox's Student Advisory Council.

Georgia High School Students are invited to apply for a state level leadership opportunity. State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox is accepting applications for her 2009-2010 Student Advisory Council.

The members of the Student Advisory Council meet three times during the school year with Superintendent Cox to discuss how decisions made at the state level are affecting students throughout Georgia. Members are advisors and act as liaisons between the Department of Education and the students of Georgia.

All students in grades 9-12 are eligible to apply. Meeting dates are:
November 9, 2009
January 25, 2010
March 8, 2010
(dates are subject to change.)
Applicants should be able to attend all three meetings.

To be eligible for the Council, applications must be received by September
30, 2009.

Interested students should contact:
Courtney Burnett, External Affairs
(404) 657-1340
cburnett@gadoe.org

Follow Georgia Graduation Stories on Facebook.

See What's New

2009-08-07T12:28:00.000-07:00

NEW FEATURES FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR!

GPB’s Georgia Graduation Stories blog is now on Facebook! Be one of the first to become a member of the group and share your support for all Georgia students making the incredible journey towards the goal of High School graduation.

Facebook is just one of the new features we are adding for the new school year. Stay in touch so you don’t miss out on any of the stories, pictures and resources.

"Jumpstart to Success" Summer Academy

2009-07-23T12:40:00.000-07:00

Summer Academy for High School Freshman

Frederick Douglass High School

Some Atlanta Public School (APS) students will be ready for school even before the 2009-2010 school year officially begins. APS is offering a High School readiness program to incoming Freshman. "Jumpstart to Success" Summer Academy is being held July 20-31, 2009 at the district's high school and small learning communities.

Frederick Douglass HS Social Studies Teacher, Daryl Hardnett

Students who attend the Summer Academy get to preview the High School experience by meeting administrators and teachers, learning the physical layout of the campus, taking core courses and gaining tips on effective study habits. Students will also find information about extra-curricular activities, High School graduation requirements and career options.

View Atlanta Public Schools Press Release

Thank you to Kimberly Willis Green, APS Communications Officer, for providing story information and photographs for this blog post.

Champions at Work: Student Success Through SkillsUSA

2009-07-21T12:21:00.000-07:00

Students Ready for the Workplace

Buses pull up in front of the building. Students unload and move to their classroom, ready for a day of learning and tests. Sounds familiar, but this day in mid-April, 2009, is designed to be a different kind of learning experience.

The ten buses are chartered, the buildings are not schools but businesses and convention centers in Metro Atlanta, and the students are there to show off their workplace skills in competition with their peers. This is Georgia's SkillsUSA state competition. Representing 130-140 Georgia schools, the students enter the real world work place environment designed by business and industry partners to be as true to life as possible. Students dress to industry standards on the day of competition whether it be automotive, construction, electrical or broadcast just to name a few careers represented. Winners in each category at this level move onto the national competition.

The Broadcast competition was held in the studios of Georgia Public Broadcasting. Six teams of high school students competed in the Television News category in team of four: 2 Anchors (red jackets), a Director and a Floor Director. Two teams made up the Radio News event. Both groups were responsible for researching, writing and producing their stories.

The Teams came from the following High Schools:
Grayson Technical High School
Rockdale Career Academy
Salem High School
Lovejoy High School
Miller Grove High School
Centennial High School

View the slide show to see all the students who competed at GPB.

For more information, contact:
Gayle Silvey, State Director
SkillsUSA Georgia
73 Price Quarters Road #129
McDonough, GA 30253
770.914.6288
gsilvey@skillsusageorgia.org

Thank you to Mike Nixon for the photograph taken at the Automotive Work Station.

Parent Involvement for Student Success

2009-07-14T10:41:00.000-07:00

It Takes A Parent

The school year is over and the local news is filled with stories about the results of standardized tests results. Parents are eager to know how their children did and where their school ranks in terms of creating success for students.

Parents can take a pro-active approach to those questions even before the new school year begins. Georgia Appleseed has created a training video and workshop for parents to enable them to act as full, participating partners in their child's school. It Takes a Parent: Strengthening Effective Parent Involvement is available as a 5-minute promotional video and as an online video workshop. The most effective use of the video is to use it as part of a facilitated workshop.

The information for parents in this video is based upon the parent involvement requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind law, the Georgia A+ Reform Act and the SE Association for Colleges and Schools (SACS). The more effective the Parent-School relationship the more productive the schools become.

View the Promotional Video.

The Parent Training Video and Workshop promote parent involvement by providing more information, access to data and training on how to use it. For more information, contact:
Georgia Appleseed
404.685.6750
www.gaappleseed.org

View It Takes a Parent: Strengthening Effective Parent Involvement.

Investing in Education in Georgia

2009-07-10T08:48:00.000-07:00

ARCHE Report Quantifies the Benefits of Investing in Education

The number of years a student remains in school has a direct correlation to a wide range of factors that influence that student's quality of life. The same correlation also affects job success and other measures of prosperity for Georgia citizens (higher salaries, home ownership, children who tend to do better in school, etc.) and for society as a whole (more talented workforce, higher tax revenues, lower spending for prisons & public assistance and healthier citizens). These are the issues examined in a newly published report by the Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education (ARCHE).

Higher Return: How Investing in Education Pays Off For Georgia was sponsored in part by the Georgia Power Foundation and the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation. The report analyzes data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey and other federal and state government data sources. Human Capitol Research Corporation compiles and analyzed the data for ARCHE.

The report contains 20 charts that provide a graphic understanding of the benefits of staying in school and completing an education that matches a student's personal and career goals.

One of those charts compares the salary for a high school graduate with the salary of a college graduate in 26 job categories. Example: full time Food Service Manager with HS diploma ($32,120) vs. Food Service Manager with college degree ($55,445)

Again from the study: People with college degrees average higher personal incomes and are less likely to be unemployed.

View the full report online on the ARCHE website.

Thank you to Beth Day for sharing the press release that provided the background and web link on the study.

A Guide to Engineering for Girls

2009-07-09T08:38:00.000-07:00

Engineer Your Life

Engineer Your Life (ELY) is a message, a campaign and a web site designed to encourage high schools girls, along with their families, teachers and advisors, to learn more about what life and work are like for engineers. The ELY website features reasons to become an engineer, video of inspiring women engineers, descriptions of dream jobs and resources for further decision making.

Engineer Girl! is a website for girls in middle school who are exploring career options in engineering. This website also includes suggested high school classes to take to plan for an engineering career.

Jazz Residency for HS and MS Students

2009-07-07T12:17:00.000-07:00

Atlanta Public School Students Participate in Julliard Summer Jazz Residency

The partnership between APS and Julliard, the performing arts school in New York City, is in its second year. In mid-June, Middle and High School Students attended master classes, private, ensemble and theory lessons along with viewing and listening sessions in a week long residency held at North Atlanta's Center for the Arts. The culminating activity of the week was a recital held at Jackson ES.

View the Atlanta Public Schools press release for complete details, pictures and student quotes.

ContactL David Lee Simmons
APS Print and Digital Writer
404.802.2849
dsimmons@atlantapublicschools.us

HS Students Intern in Area Law Firms

2009-07-07T11:23:00.000-07:00

Atlanta Bar Association Offers Summer Internships to Area Students

The Foundation for the Atlanta Bar Association offers a range of programs, including the Summer Law Intern Program. This opportunity allows high school students to experience a 6-week internship in local law firms, government agencies or corporations.

Thirteen current and graduating students from the Therrell High School of Law, Government & Public Policy were joined by students from Southwest DeKalb HS, Pebblebrook HS, Druid Hills HS and Eagle's Landing Christian Academy for the 2009 Internship.

In an Atlanta Public Schools press release, goals for the interns were listed as:
* Provide a valuable work experience
* Further the students' understanding of the law
* Provide a mentor relationship for the students

Road Trip Rolls Out the Final Episodes in a Popular Series

2009-07-06T11:46:00.000-07:00

New Episodes Available for Students & Educators from this Award Winning Series

The producers of Road Trip, the award winning program with the tag line “staying in school is worth the ride” have completed episodes #11 and #12 of the 12 episode series. It is now available on GPB broadcast schedules and on the web for streaming.

In this new episode (#11), All That Matters, Daniel encounters a female student's bubbly, self-confident aunt, who insists that since she dropped out as a teen, her niece should consider it too.

Featured Road Trips

Tour of Moultrie Technical College's HS Horticulture and Construction programs

Tour of Sandersville Technical College's Commercial Truck Driving and Welding programs

Tour of Bainbridge Technical College's Industrial Maintenance program

In the new episode (#12), Home Again, a teen, overwhelmed by choices, is troubled by what to do after his fast approaching graduation from high school.

Featured Road Trips
Tour of East Central Technical College's Telecommunications Technology and Recreation Vehicle Technology programs

Tour of West Georgia Technical College's Digital Video Production and Sports and Fitness Management programs

Created by the Technical College System of Georgia in partnership with Georgia Public Broadcasting and in association with the national Stay-in-School initiative, Road Trip is now an official hit in the world of educational programs and is among winners that represent the best work in the industry.

The Nation's Report Card: Arts 2008

2009-06-29T11:31:00.000-07:00

Report of 8th Grade Achievement in the Arts First Since 1997

On June 15, 2009, The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)released The Nation's Report Card (report) on the performance of 8th grade students in music and visual arts as measured on the NAEP assessment administered January-March, 2008 to 7,900 students nationwide. The results were compared to the last time NAEP administered the arts assessment in 1997. Student and school background factors as related to arts achievement are also included in the report.

Students taking the assessments in music were asked questions that required both responding and creative and critical thinking. A sample response question was to ask students to identify the instrument featured in a solo piece of music.

Students in the visual arts were asked to identify the similarities between two self-portraits. They were also asked to add a project to the tasks being measured by including the creation of a self-portrait with materials that were supplied.

The full assessment that includes grades 4 and 12 was not included due to budget cuts. Dance and Theater were not assessed due to the small number of schools that offer all four arts.

The 2008 NAEP arts assessment indicates a decrease in student achievement and a decrease in student visits to museums and other cultural institutions. View data, full report and archived webcast of the NAEP news release event.

The purpose for conducting an assessment in the arts is to provide evidence based practices to guide arts education instruction and make these practices available to all educators and students.

20 Fellows Complete National Program Focused on Georgia

2009-06-29T08:42:00.000-07:00

Education Policy Fellowship Class Honored

First Participants Add to State's Expertise in Education

The Education Policy Fellowship Program is an professional development initiative of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (GPEE) and co-sponsored by the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University and the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach at the University of Georgia.

View a list of the first class of graduates and a presentation on the Education Policy Fellowship program. The charge given to the graduates was to "do the difficult work, ask the tough questions, and say what needs to be said".

Press Announcement from GPEE
The inaugural class of the Education Policy Fellowship Program graduated 20 participants June 18 with an observance held at Georgia Power headquarters. The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education brought the national program to the state last October and the first group of Fellows began their 10 month course of instruction.

Georgia State University's Andrew Young School of Public Policy and the Office of the Vice President for Public Service & Outreach at the University of Georgia are co-sponsors. Georgia is one of 13 states and the District of Columbia to offer the unique program designed to build education policy expertise.

The Georgia Partnership has long recognized the need to develop leaders across the state who have a clear understanding of how education policy is made. The organization collaborated with The Institute for Educational Leadership in Washington DC, which oversees the national operation.

Speaking at the program were Dr. Art Dunning and Dr. David Sjoquist representing the University of Georgia and Georgia State University respectively. Both men underlined the importance of the program and encouraged the graduates to use what they had learned to make a difference in education in Georgia.

The program was composed of eight monthly colloquiums, attendance at a national leadership conference in Arizona, and a participation in a National Washington Policy Seminar. Speakers included leaders in a wide variety of subjects including funding, higher education, school choice, early education, politics, the demographic landscape and more.

For more information, contact Kelley Dean (kdean@gpee.org)

View complete press announcement.

Thank you to GPEE's Bill Maddox and Kelley Dean for providing the press announcement about the Education Policy Fellowship Program.

View Slide Show of Graduation Event

Picturing America to Picture Success in Muscogee Co. School District

2009-06-25T11:12:00.000-07:00

Muscogee County School District & the Picturing America Best Practices Institute

When students leave school for the summer vacation, teachers and administrators can be found still hard at work, refreshing their skills and learning new approaches to support student success. On June 3 and 4, 2009, teachers from Muscogee County School District gathered for a two day workshop inspired by Picturing America, a program of the National Endowment of the Humanities. The group included K-12 teachers in music, visual arts, Spanish, social studies, language arts and media specialists and was organized by Robbie Holt (Director of Arts & Humanities) and her team.

Muscogee County School District, an award recipient from the Picturing America Program, had portfolios of posters on great American art. Many teachers have been using these poster sets as tools to introduce students to the best of American arts and humanities. An example is pictured here: Thomas Hart Benton's The Sources of Country Music. The art work was a catalyst for a robust discussion among the teachers that led in directions as diverse as American History, history of American song, origin of musical instruments, transportation, social & economic influences, etc.

The skills teacher's used for this type of responsive and creative analysis were honed by the presentations, demonstrations and activities offered to the group by the three guest instructors. Object-based learning, literature and music as a focus for a sense of place, art and artifacts for increasing observational skills are some examples of the work the group undertook over the two day period.

The major assignment for all the educators attending the Best Practices Institute was to assemble a piece of art or personal artifact that told a family story. The collection of objects created an instant cultural museum and allowed the whole group to become deeply engaged in the applied lessons from two days of intensive work.

The W.C. Bradley Co. in Columbus, Georgia served as the host and location for the Institute. The building that began as a cotton warehouse in 1885 is now a whole block on the National Historic Register and in the second century of adaptive re-use. Susan Wiggins, Vice President for Stakeholder Relations, gave the group of teachers an overview of the history of the company and the buildings. She pointed out the historic photographs on the walls and artifacts (including Mr. Bradley's desk) throughout the building. The highlight of her presentation was the background and guided tour of the W.C. Bradley Co. Centennial Art Collection. After an extensive national search, 21 artists were commissioned to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the company by using their art to "document a company, a place, a people, and a place in time." With the historic structures, artifacts and art collection, the W.C. Bradley Co. was the living symbol of the work teachers were undertaking in the Picturing America Best Practices Institute.

About the Instructors

David Johnson is Professor Emeritus from Columbus State University in creative writing and American literature. He is know as a poet and storyteller . His work has been published nationally in juried periodicals and journals.

Kristen S. Hansen is Associate Professor of Music in the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University. Dr. Hansen holds the DMA and the MM in Horn Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. She previously received the degree of Bachelor of Music summa cum lunde from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. She plays second horn in the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. At Columbus State, Dr. Hansen is an active teacher and site director with study abroad programs in Paris and Oxford. She is currently engaged in writing a music theory text for undergrduate music majors.

Anne R. King is a veteran museum educator, who most recently has focused on developing interpretive guides and web-based interactive learning sites for museum collections and exhibitions. Her interest in American art and culture and in interdisciplinary learning grew through years of programming and interpretive work at the Columbus Museum.

View Slide Show

Resources for Science Education

2009-06-23T10:14:00.000-07:00

ADDRESSING GEORGIA'S NEEDS IN THE STEM FIELDS

Ask a Georgia school administrator where they would like support in resources or staffing and the most likely reply will be Science or Math. It has been reported that Georgia will need to produce more than 2,000 middle and high school teachers of life sciences, chemistry, earth science and physics by 2010 to meet the demand in those fields. These subjects reflect the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields.According to the Board of Regents statistics for the 2008 academic year, only 90 teachers were prepared as Georgia teachers in these areas.

Here is information on programs and resources that address that need.

TRAINING FOR FUTURE SCIENCE TEACHERS
The National Sciences Foundation recently awarded a grant to Georgia State University to increase the number of science teachers in metro Atlanta schools. The almost $900,000 grant will be used to recruit, prepare and support 36 high quality science educators over the next five years under a program called Impacting Metro-Atlanta Science Teaching (I-MAST). Scholarships will be offered both to undergraduate majors studying in the STEM fields and to graduates who hold degrees in the STEM fields and want to go into teaching the sciences on the secondary level.
The I-MAST program is a collaboration between Georgia State's College of Education, College of Arts and Sciences, Georgia Tech and four Metro-Atlanta public school districts.

GRANT TARGETS STEM TEACHERS
NASA awarded a $3 million grant to Georgia Tech to support a program that will allow Georgia teachers to strengthen their teachings skills in the STEM fields. Georgia Tech's Distance Learning and Professional Education (DLPE) Center for Education Integrating Science, Math and Computing (CEISMC) will take the lead on The Electronic Professional Development Network Grant. The purpose of the program will be to prepare, produce, deliver and evaluate NASA-related online courses, workshops and experiences for the benefit of STEM educators in Georgia and across the nation.

GPB CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS COURSES FOR THE CLASSROOM

Chemistry & Physics consists of two series teaching high school college preparatory chemistry and physics. Chemistry: A Study of Matter and Physics Fundamentals provide instructional content delivered through thirty-minute episodes and integrated classroom materials. Episodes provide content while giving cues for the classroom teacher to pause the program and interact with students, engaging them in discussions, problem-solving, and laboratory activities. Chemistry: A Study of Matter and Physics Fundamentals can be streamed from this site or GPB Education Streaming.

For each unit, daily lesson plans will be provided to help teachers prepare for and pace the lessons. Classroom materials, including note-taking guides to accompany the episodes, worksheets, classroom activities, quizzes, and tests, are available in electronic format. Teachers should call GPB Education at 1.888.501.8960 or email education@gpb.org to request teacher materials.

Opportunity to Apply to the Education Policy Fellowship Program

2009-06-19T07:55:00.000-07:00

DEADLINE IS JUNE 30, 2009

The Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP) began in 2008 as an initiative of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education. EPFP is a professional development program that provides potential leaders with the knowledge and networks to advance the core issues of education policy. Fellows commit to a series of monthly colloquiums, independent study and research and rigourous peer discussions. They use the work environment of their current full-time positions as the context for examining important leadership and policy issues in Georgia.

The EPFP Program is co-sponsored by the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University and by the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach at the University of Georgia.

View Program Details.

For more information, contact:
Kelley Dean, GA EPFP Coordinator
kdean@gpee.org
404.223.2492

Students Experience Homelessness in Atlanta

2009-06-17T12:20:00.000-07:00

"HOMELESS FOR A WEEK"
STUDENTS EXPERIENCE A DIFFERENT LIFESTYLE

Students ages 12-14 who attend The Paideia School exchanged their classroom for the downtown urban environment of Atlanta, Georgia. The topic was homelessness, and the students wanted to know about a lifestyle different from their own and about people they see on the streets. These Middle School students spent 5 days and 4 nights based at Hurt Park armed with just $5.00 for the week, one set of clothes and shoes that did not fit and worn thin by someone else. They spent their days visiting area food banks and shelters.

Georgia Public Broadcasting Reporter Rickey Bevington and Videographer Charlene Fisk met up with the students and provided the video from the interviews. One of the young women reflected:
"It is sad to see homelessness. It is heartbreaking to know that you are riding in your car within your comfortable life while there are people out on the streets struggling".

Creating Great Schools: NW Georgia RESA Leadership Conference

2009-06-15T09:32:00.000-07:00

Conference Urges Administrators to Take Schools from Good to Great

School is not out for many of the administrators who work in the school systems located in the Northwest corner of Georgia. On June 10 and 11, 2009, the NW Georgia RESA held the 5th Annual Leadership Conference. Superintendents were joined by principals, assistant principals and curriculum staff from the area's K-12 schools, participating in lectures, panel discussions and breakout sessions.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Phil Schlecty (founder - Center for Leadership in School Reform) introduced the topic of Creating Great Schools. He got the audience thinking about trends in educations such as the way technology is making students independent learners, teachers becoming facilitators and designers of instructional experiences rather than just delivering facts, and the shift away from pushing information on to students but rather creating an array of resources that will allow the students to pull what they need and what they are looking for to solve learning challenges.

The second day began with a presentation given by a panel of distinguished principals who spoke to the Leadership Conference theme based upon their career experiences. Panel Members included: Dr. Molly Howard ( NASSP/Met-Life National POY 2008 - Jefferson Co. HS), Dr. Mark Wilson (NASSP/Met-Life National POY 2009 - Morgan Co. HS), Mr. Chuck Bell (Commerce MS, Commerce City Schools), Mr. Kip McLeod (Hahira MS, Lowndes County), Dr. Jolie Harden (Matt Arthur ES, Huston Co.), and Mrs. Diana Mills (Hickory Hills ES, Marietta City).

With 10-12 Break Out Topics per scheduled session, everyone kept moving, studying and networking. There was not much time to enjoy the hospitality of Rome High School's signature benches.

Georgia Public Broadcasting was honored to be included in the list of presenters for the Break Out Sessions. Conference participants attending the two sessions got an overview of GPB's broadcast, web and new media resources designed to support Georgia's learning community.

Rome High School served as the host for the NW Georgia RESA's 5th Annual Leadership Conference.

What Will Middle School Be Like?

2009-06-15T08:38:00.000-07:00

ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS

Is everything my older brother told me true? Will I have too much homework? Will the older students really stuff me in a locker?

Students at Stockbridge Middle School(SMS) worked with their Graduation Coach, Ronda Kustick, to create a video that addresses the fears and myths 5th grade students might have as they prepare for that all important transition from elementary to middle school. Mrs. Kustick knew the importance of these new 6th graders make a successful start to their middle school career. She created the project and worked with her current students to involve them with the full production, from script to filming, in a partnership with a team from Georgia Public Broadcasting to get out the important messages.

The student hosts for the video explain some of the differences from elementary school, i.e. changes classes, what homework is really like, the opportunity to take Connections Classes (Technology, P.E., Chorus, Band, Music and Art). No one in this group has ever been stuffed into a locker, and everyone at the school is ready and willing to help the new students. The Graduation Coach along with academic and sports advisors are just some of the folks available to answer questions. Advice from Robert, one of the actors: "Listen to what the teachers say because they mean well and they are preparing you for high school".

STUDENT AND PARENT REACTION
What did this year's SMS students think about the video project esperience?
Mandy:
"Filming a video is one of the most amazing things I have done. Our patience and acting skills were tested. There were many things we had to do, but it was enjoyable and exciting."

Imjei:
"I learned that it takes a lot to make one movie. It was all an amazing experience, one that was fun and interesting. It was tiring doing our lines over and over, but worth the experience. It's very cool to be a kid-celebrity in school. I enjoyed the chanllenge and the worth-while experience".

Mrs. Kustick reports that the video was well received by all the rising 6th graders and their parents who got to view the video in early May.

For more information on this project, contact:
Ronda Bowe Kustick
Middle School Graduation Coach
Stockbrige Middle School
770.474.5710

View the video.

Slide Show from Stockbridge Middle School

Effective Mentoring Programs

2009-06-12T09:04:00.000-07:00

SOLUTIONS TO THE DROPOUT CRISIS

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

3:30-4:30 p.m. Eastern Time

The Positive Effects of Mentoring

presented by
Kate Schineller

*Learn what you need to know to run effective mentoring programs.

*Find out about a project that provides mentors for children of incarcerated parents.

Mentoring is one of the most effective and certainly the most economical dropout prevention strategies. In order to have positive effects, mentoring needs to incorporate the right elements, i.e. The Elements of Effective Practice. Kate Schineller will present a full program about mentoring, including who needs mentors; what the research says; and program design and planning. She will then introduce listeners to a successful mentoring program for children of prisoners, the Caregiver's Choice Project, a demonstration project of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and administered by her organization, MENTOR.

On the day of the webcast, log on 10-30 minutes early to ensure you are connected to the broadcast @ www.dropoutprevention.org/webcast.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
Supplementary materials are now available online. All necessary information about participating fully in this professional development opportunity is found on the website. For further questions, contact the National Dropout Prevention Center or call 864.656.2580.

PARTICIPATION IN THE WEBCAST
Participation in this webcast is free and no registration is required. The program will be archived in its entirety on the website. On the day of the webcast, link to the broadcast. This webast is produced with support from Penn Foster. If you have trouble with the link, copy and paste the entire address listed below into your web browser:

http://guest.cvent.com/i.aspx?1Q,P1,F063CEFD-2B16-4933-9440-BC7ACFDCF044

Jump Start on College Credit for Georgia High School Students

2009-05-21T08:34:00.000-07:00

DeVry University Offers Passport2College Program This Summer

Georgia High School students who will be entering their junior or senior year in the fall of 2009 need to check out DeVry University's Passport2College Program being offered this summer. Qualified students who enroll in the program will earn college credit, getting a jump-start on their college education. There is no tuition cost for the Passport2College Program, but qualified students are responsible for the cost of the textbooks.

Application Deadline: June 8, 2009

Students with an interest in the areas of business and/or technology and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher should see if this opportunity fits their needs.

For more information:
Visit the DeVry website
Email bwright@DeVry.edu
Call 404.270.2800 or 800.221.4771, ext. 2742800

Colquitt County Teacher Recognized

2009-05-19T13:03:00.000-07:00

2010 Georgia Teacher of the Year

Gwen Desselle was named 2010 Georgia Teacher of the Year at an event held at the Georgia Aquarium on May 15, 2009. Mrs. Desselle is a high school social studies teacher from Colquitt County and a 32-year veteran educator. Her duties during her term will include speaking to the public about the teaching profession, conducting workshops and programs for educators, and serving as an advisor to Superintendent Cox and the Georgia Department of Education.

The Teacher of the Year Award is a competitive process that begins at the level of the individual school and moves to the district then state competition. Nominees are observed in their classroom as part of the application process. The state winner is eligible to compete at the national level.

2010 Georgia Teacher of the Year Finalists

Tiffany Todd, Southeast Bulloch High School, Bulloch County
Dr. Mark Lang, Camden Middle School, Camden County
Michelle Rigsby, BelAir Elementary School, Columbia County
Suzy Besson-Martilotta, Chattahoochee Elementary School
Merrill Boynton-Cheyne, Harris County Carver Middle School, Harris County
Sandy Akin, East Jackson Comprehensive High School, Jackson County
Krista Pearson, Lowndes High School, Lowndes County
Kathie Wood, Marietta Middle School, Marietta City
Jennifer Beckum Irvin, Toombs County High School

Visit the Georgia Department of Education website for the Office of Communications to view more information about Gwen Desselle and Georgia's Teacher of the Year Program.

Georgia Students Named as New Gates Millennium Scholars

2009-05-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

10th Anniversary Class Announced

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS) was begun in 1999 with a one billion dollar grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The goal of the Scholars Program is to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunity for outstanding minority students with significant financial need to reach their highest potential. The program is administered by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).

In April, 2009, 1,000 students from across the country were notified of their selection as the 10th Anniversary Class of scholars. Sixty four Georgia high school seniors were successful in the extensive application process to become part of this group. The award is a needs-based scholarship that can be used at the college or university of the student's choice. The amount is determined on an individual bases after other sources of college aid and scholarships are figured into a student's situation. The scholarship can be applied to tuition, books and room and board.

Georgia's 2009 Millennium Scholars attended the following high schools:
Atlanta Public Schools
Carver School of Health Sciences & Research
Douglass High School
Maynard Jackson High School
Mays High School
North Atlanta High School
South Atlanta High School
Terrell High School
Washington High School

Fayette County Public Schools
Whitewater High School

Richmond County Public Schools
Davidson Fine Arts

Note: This is an incomplete list. Please let us know of 2009 Gates Millennium Scholars in your high school.

Georgia's Early College Initiative

2009-05-14T12:16:00.000-07:00

Early College Awareness Week

The first week in May was designated nationwide as Early College Awareness Week. The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia announced activities for Georgia students in a recent press release.

Year round, the Early College Program in Georgia provides students with an opportunity to earn a high school diploma along with one to two years of transferable credit towards a bachelor's degree. Begun in 2005, Georgia's Early College Program targets the student populations that are underrepresented in higher education in our state.

Georgia's Early College Program is a partnership between the Georgia Department of Education and the University System of Georgia. Visit the website for more information on this initiative.

MetLife 2009 Ambassador in Education Award for Arts Educator at North Atlanta High School

2009-05-14T11:33:00.000-07:00

Georgia Art Educator Recognized for Community Service

MetLife's Ernest L. Foster and National Civic League President Gloria Rubio-Cortes present the 2009 MetLife Foundation Ambassadors in Education Award and a $5,000 check for the school to art educator Natalie Brandhorst (center).

Natalie Brandhorst was recently recognized in a ceremony at North Atlanta High School for the work she has done with her students to build bridges between the school and community. View the Georgia Graduation Stories blog for April 14th and the Atlanta Public Schools press release for May 13th for more details on the MetLife Ambassador in Education Award and the accomplishments of Ms. Brandhorst and her students.

Thank you to Joe Manguno, Media Relations Specialist for Atlanta Public Schools, for supplying the photograph.

NASA Offers Education Programs for Students

2009-05-11T10:33:00.000-07:00

NASA Online Learning Community and Summer Studies Available to High School Students

High School students interested in careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) are encouraged to visit the NASA Education website. NASA is accepting applications for the Interdisciplinary National Science Program Incorporating Research Experience (INSPIRE) program. Eligible students will have the opportunity to participate in an online learning community that allows them to interact with their peers and with NASA scientists and engineers.

Students selected for the online learning community will then have the option to compete for placement in programs for the summer of 2010 held at NASA facilities and participating universities throughout the country.

Schedule for Application Process

Activity	Deadline
Applications for the INSPIRE Online Learning Community accepted:	May 1 to June 30, 2009
Students selected for the Online Learning Community will be notified:	Sept., 2009
Eligible Online Learning Community members provide additional documents to compete for optional 2010 summer experiences.	Fall, 2009
Online Learning Community members selected for summer experiences notified.	Spring, 2010

High School Students Travel to Egypt

2009-05-08T08:43:00.000-07:00

Carver School of Health Sciences and Research Students visit the Valley of the Kings at Luxor, Egypt. (photo by Dr. Darian Jones)

Promises Kept

Dr. Darian Jones made a promise to the first freshman class at Carver's School of Health Sciences and Research. Graduate in four years, and we will travel to Egypt. On May 2, 2009, 50 seniors who fulfilled their graduation commitment were joined by parents and faculty on the promised trip.

View the Atlanta Public School's press release for more pictures and exciting details.

Thank you to Joe Manguno, Media Relations Specialist for Atlanta Public Schools, for supplying the information to Georgia Graduation Stories blog.

Webcast: Call Me MISTER

2009-05-08T07:59:00.000-07:00

SOLUTIONS TO THE DROPOUT CRISIS

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

3:30-4:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Call Me MISTER

presented by
Dr. Roy Jones

*How can we partner with colleges and universities to address the shortage of teachers in our struggling schools?

*Learn about the many components of the Call Me Mister Program

This webcast will explore the fundamental principles that provide the guidance and foundation for the success of the nationally recognized Call Me MISTER program model. It is the goal of Call Me MISTER, now in its ninth year, to address the the shortage of teachers serving in some of the state's most struggling primary schools. Both the South Carolina and national initiative strategy will be examined. We will also discuss Project Middle Passage, a Call Me MISTER outreach component focused on mentoring and developing 6th, 7th, and 8th grade middle school African American boys. It is our belief that by successfully placing strong teachers in elementary calssrooms among at-risk among at-risk populations, we will have a positive impact on stemming the deplorable dropout rate.

Visit the Call Me MISTER (acronym for Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Rose Models) website for more information on this national initiative.

On the day of the webcast, log on 10-30 minutes early to ensure you are connected to the broadcast @ www.dropoutprevention.org/webcast.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
Supplementary materials are now available online. All necessary information about participating fully in this professional development opportunity is found on the website. For further questions, contact the National Dropout Prevention Center or call 864.656.2580.

PARTICIPATION IN THE WEBCAST
Participation in this webcast is free and no registration is required. The program will be archived in its entirety on the website. On the day of the webcast, link to the broadcast. This webast is produced with support from Penn Foster. If you have trouble with the link, copy and paste the entire address listed below into your web browser:

http://guest.cvent.com/i.aspx?1Q,P1,F063CEFD-2B16-4933-9440-BC7ACFDCF044

Georgia Student Media Festival

2009-05-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

Student Work Judged at Annual Media Festival

May 1, 2009, over 160 judges assembled at Georgia Public Broadcasting to begin the process of reviewing work from over 1,100 of Georgia's K-12 students. This 33rd year of the Georgia Student Media Festival (GSMF) allowed groups of educators, media specialists, instructional technology specialists and university students to review the student produced media projects that had already earned high scores in competition at both the local building and system levels. The projects are organized into categories that include: Live Action, Animation, Sequential Stills, Electronic Picture Book, Electronic Photographic Essay, Interactive Stills and Website.

Student projects submitted to the state level of competition are awarded rankings of Superior (96-100), Merit (90-95) or Participation (Below 90). Projects are judged on their own merits for excellence in production, writing, creativity, lighting and impact. Students whose work earns a Superior at the state level will be entered into competiton at the International Student Media Festival (ISMF). Deborah Hargroves, IMSF Coordinator, says that Georgia is always well represented at this highest level of competition.

These instructional technology and media projects provide students with a creative outlet, along with:
*opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of technology
*an outlet to extend the learning beyond the classroom
*opportunity for self-expression
*another pathway for student success

Michelle Linderman

Deborah Gray (Gwinnett Co. Schools) and Michelle Lenderman (Bibb Co. Schools) served as C0-Chairs for the 2009 GSMF. Dr. Gordon Baker, Director, Libraries at Clayton State University Library, served on the leadership team. Joni Jones (Rockdale Co. Schools) designed the GSMF website.

Deborah Gray (GSMF) and Marylyn Stansbury, Director of Education & Outreach, GPB

Some of the Judging Stations

The Georgia Student Media Festival is sponsored by the Georgia Association for Instructional Technology, Inc. (GAIT), and the Georgia Library Association (GLA), in partnership with Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB).

What Does Success in Schools Look Like?

2009-04-20T09:18:00.000-07:00

Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement

At the first Quarterly Board Meeting of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (GPEE) in Febuary, the topic was school improvement. The tone of the meeting was set by GPEE President Dr. Stephen Dolinger when he asked the opening questions:
*What Does Success Look Like?
*What Are Your Metrics?
*What Are You Measuring?

The presentation, Evidence of Impact: Seeing Bottom Line Results was offered by the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) and three representative school systems in response to the theme raised by Dr. Dolinger's opening questions. Deb Page, GLISI's Senior Executive Director and Senior Practice Leader, provided a history and overview of the organization along with a compelling example of why a connected, sustained leadership training model makes a difference in the success of students and of the entire school community.

Dr. Wendy Ruona from the University of Georgia, spoke next on the research method, Success Case Methodology. In this part of the presentation, Dr. Ruona talked about the factors that make a difference towards change, capturing ways of doing the work, and providing evidence of and stories that point to change.

Three Georgia Superintendents who have worked with GLISI shared stories from their school systems and served on the panel that concluded the GPEE meeting.

View Opening Remarks and Presentations by Deb Page and Wendy Ruona

View Dade County's Definition of Leadership, Dade County Schools, Ms. Patty Priest, Superintendent

View Hancock County's Team-based Improvement of Student Achievement, Hancock County Schools, Dr. Awanna Leslie, Superintendent

View Implementing GLISI Initiatives to Increase the Graduation Rate in Jones County, Jones County Schools, Dr. Jim LeBrun, Superintendent

View Panel and Closing Remarks

Contact the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (GPEE)regarding details of the May 5, 2009 Quarterly Board Meeting.

Production Assistance was provided by Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB).

Georgia Educator Recognized for Community Outreach

2009-04-14T10:10:00.000-07:00

Art Educator Builds Bridges Between School and Community

The MetLife Foundation Ambassadors in Education Award recognizes outstanding educators in the public school system. Recipients of the Award are middle and high school educators who are building partnerships and communicating beyond their school for the betterment of the entire community. It is a project of the National Civic League and sponsored by the MetLife Foundation.

The winners for 2009 were announced recently, and a Georgia educator was among those 25 educators selected to receive the Ambassadors in Education Award.

Natalie Brandhorst, Art Educator at North Atlanta High School, was cited for encouraging her students to engage in their community through art projects. Her students take on issues such as environmental sustainability and hunger. Ms. Brandhorst will receive a $5,000 grant because of her role in building bridges between the school and the community.

Atlanta Public Schools and the National Civic League provided the following information in recent press releases:
Recently, Ms. Brandhorst worked with students, parents and local Girl Scouts to raise awareness about hunger in Atlanta. Students and scouts used the school kiln to make hundreds of cermic bowls as part of an Empty Bowls hunger education project. For the culminating event, members of the [North Atlanta] community brought canned goods to the school.
Ms. Brandhorst was also recognized for partnering with area artists and local businesses to provide her students with quality art supplies.

Clarkston High School Student Presentations

2009-04-14T07:17:00.000-07:00

Student Presentations at Clarkston High School

Students at DeKalb County's Clarkston High School are preparing for the spring round of their presentations. These presentations are based on an individual student's interests or career exploration and are developed over an extended period of the school year. The presentations may take the form of PowerPoint, speaches, demonstrations or fashion show just to list a few of the options. Clarkston High School Guidance Counselors and Graduation Coach advise the students and coordinate the presentations. Community members from such fields as the arts, medicine, law, engineering, and business are invited to serve as Judges over the week long schedule of student presentations.

Thank you to Joi L. Chester, Graduation Coach at Clarkston High for sending along the news of the presentations and the picture of students with Tom Roman, Communities in Schools of GA.

Webcast: Dropout Prevention in the Digital Society

2009-04-09T11:30:00.001-07:00

SOLUTIONS TO THE DROPOUT CRISIS

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

3:30-4:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Dropout Prevention in the Digital Society

presented by
Ms. Doris Settles

*How much do you know about the new digital world our students live in?

*What do you need to know to protect your students from its potential dangers?

*How can we use current technology to positively engage students in schools?

Being a teenager today is very different from when most of us reading this description were struggling with our own teen angst. Today students have no privacy, no "safe place," and an audience that is truly, truly global. All with the click of a mouse. They are the "digital natives." Doris Settles will discuss solutions for the adult community, "the digital immigrants," to make education, work skills and social interaction relevant, rigorous, and safe for these "digital natives. This always-on, always-connected environment is foreign to most of us, and the technologically immersed environment in which they live has little, if any, connection to the world run by adults, disengaging those already headed for dropping out even further. The solution, according to Settles, is to work together.

On the day of the webcast, log on 10-30 minutes early to ensure you are connected to the broadcast @ www.dropoutprevention.org/webcast.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
Supplementary materials are now available online. All necessary information about participating fully in this professional development opportunity is found on the website. For further questions, contact the National Dropout Prevention Center or call 864.656.2580.

PARTICIPATION IN THE WEBCAST
Participation in this webcast is free and no registration is required. The program will be archived in its entirety on the website. On the day of the webcast, link to the broadcast. This webast is produced with support from Penn Foster. If you have trouble with the link, copy and paste the entire address listed below into your web browser:

http://guest.cvent.com/i.aspx?1Q,P1,F063CEFD-2B16-4933-9440-BC7ACFDCF044

The Soloist: Preview Event at Georgia Public Broadcasting

2009-04-09T10:56:00.000-07:00

Meet the Georgia Soloists

Communities in Schools and Georgia Public Broadcasting are hosting an empowering evening of student achievement. Preview exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage with host Chuck Faush from the movie, The Soloist.* Students will perform and receive recording masters of their performances gifted by GPB and nContrast. Pictured at a recent session at the GPB Performance Studio is Ramon Perez from CIS' Marietta City Performance Learning Center.

Thursday, April 23, 2009
6:30 Students' Red Carpet Entrance
7:00 Program
8:00 Reception

Click here to RSVP
by
Monday, April 13

*From The Soloist website:
The movie, staring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey, Jr., is based on a true story of a disenchanted journalist's transformation odyssey through the hidden streets of Los Angeles, where he discovers and builds a most unlikely friendship with a man from those same streets, bonding through the redemptive poser of music.

Encouraging Success in Science

2009-04-03T08:43:00.000-07:00

Mercer University Science Majors in Mentoring Role

Students from Mercer University volunteer on a weekly basis at a Bibb County school. Honors Biology students are a regular presence this year at L. H. Williams Elementary School working with 5th grade students on science principals and experiments. Engaging these students' interest in science at such a young age is one of the keys to their individual success in school as well as for the potential of developing future career interests. One young student said that her eyes have been opened about how much fun science can be.

Here the full story on the April 2nd edition of GPB's Georgia Gazette.

Recognizing Achievement: Communities in Schools

2009-04-02T09:36:00.000-07:00

CIS Recognizes Student Achievement Month Winners

CIS of Georgia recently held an awards program to recognize the winners of the 2008 Student Achievement Month. This year's contest received over 500 entries from elementary, middle and high school students who receive CIS services and are described by that organization as being sometimes overlooked and often expected to to underachieve. Thank you to Catherine Broussard, Communications Manager, CIS of Georgia, for sharing the stories for this blog post.

Thirty-nine students became regional winners with eleven being selected as state winners. Students were judged in categories of Art, Essays, Poems, Songs, Speeches and PowerPoint presentations. The eleven winners are: From CIS of Fitzgerald/Ben Hill County - Jamie Hendley, Alasia Simpson, Dennis Lightsey and Steven Home; from CIS of Colquitt County - Caleb Paige, Shakia Lattimore, and Chazmin Signletary. Evergreen Reed (CIS of Troop Co.), Deylah McCarty (CISof Athens/Clarke Co.), and Antavious Grier (CIS of Douglas Co.) were also state winners.

Highlights

The following are highlights from the winners presented at the CIS Recognition Awards Luncheon Program held in Atlanta in March, 2009.

Deylah, pictured here with Cal Phelps (Wal-Mart Regional Director of Operations for GA and CIS Board Member), was a state winner in the Creative Expressions category. Her project is a 4-panel art project that traces the stages of her life and attitude about school. Click here to see Deylah's project and her description of its meaning.

Dennis was a state winner in the Computer Technology category. Click here to see his PowerPoint with a before and after theme that has him "Back in My Mind Right Side Up". Dennis is pictured here with his principal, Dr. Gail Stokes.

Antavious was a state winner in the Public Speaking category. The power of his story is the power of a committed mentoring relationship. Antavious and his mentor, Mrs. Judy Shaw are pictured here.

Here is his winning presentation:

Hello, how are you all today. My name is Antavious Grier. People watch my life, and might think that I’m living the life. You might think I have a great life, because I’m always smiling or having fun. My life was not always like that. I was a troublesome childe. I always got in trouble. I acted out all the time just to get attention. I was doing horribly in school.

In the third grade, I always fought at school. I always got in trouble. I lived in the principal’s office. I was a third grader reading on a first grade reading level. I hated to read. My parents were not in my life like they needed to be. My dad was never in my life and my mom was always tired. So I had no one to bounce my ideas off of. I had no one to talk to. When I was growing up, men around me always beat the women. That made me think that’s how you treat women. Some of the women around me acted like men. I was on the wrong track. It seem like I had nothing to live for as a kid.

CIS has had the biggest impact in my life. If it was not for them, I would not be the fine man that you see now. It was like an angel had come into my life by the name of Mrs. Judy Shaw. She was the sweetest person I knew. I am a senior in high school; Mrs. Shaw came in my life at a rough time. My parents were breaking up, and my grandmother was sick. My mother and I were always fighting. It seemed like to me that acting badly was the way I suppose to act, because that is the only thing I saw at home.

At the moment Mrs. Shaw came in my life, she was like the mother I never had. She came every week at her lunch just to talk to me. She gave up eating lunch just to talk to me. It was our thing; she would come every Tuesday or Thursday to my school. She used to always come and try to make me read books. I used to fight her everyday about reading books, but I always seem to read them to her. No matter what I had said to her she always came back the next week. It felt like she was not doing this because it was her job. She was this because she loved kids and she loved helping me.

She taught me how to read, and ten years later I read on a twelfth grade reading level. I was not the best math student either. She helped me, and now I am taking AP Statistics. I am on course for college. I have never failed a class thanks to her. I make all A’s and B’s. I have a 3.27 grade point average. She even helps me apply for college. Mrs. Shaw helped me in many different ways and aspects.

Mrs. Shaw was a lady. She dressed like a lady, she talked like a lady. She showed me how a lady is supposed to act. She showed me how a lady is supposed to be treated. She showed me how to say “yes ma’am,” “no ma’am,” “yes sir,” “no sir.” She taught me manners. She transformed a rough third grader into the fine man you see in front of you. You know you remember one person in your life that changed you for the better, Ms. Was that person. If it was not for the mentoring program and CIS, I would have never met her and I would have never been changed.

Digital Schoolhouse Conference for 21st Century Learning

2009-04-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

Forsyth County Schools: Digital Schoolhouse Conferen

Technology Training for 21st Century Learners

On Saturday, March 28, educators from Forsyth County Schools gathered to hone their skills in creating a 21st Century learning environment for their students. The workshops and demonstrations for educators were organized under the heading of The Digital Schoolhouse.

Following the theme of Engage Me...With Technology, educators participated in a wide selection of workshop offerings geared to assisting them to provide new ways for using technology to engage their K-12 students. The generous schedule uncovered technology instruction through subjects such as Art, Poetry, Science, Virtual Communication and Language Arts. Georgia Public Broadcasting presented 2 sessions on the educational resources it offers to all educators in the state.

The Digital Schoolhouse Conference booklet states Forsyth County's vision for Digital Learning as using classroom technology to engage students in asking questions and choosing tools to facilitate real world problem solving. Chief Technology & Information Officer, Baily Mitchell, states that there should be no divide between instruction and technology instruction. There is only one thing - good instruction.

According to Director of Instructional Technology, Jill Hobson, the first Digital School House Conference was inspired by the experience of hosting a National School Board Association Technology Site Visit in 2005. The first Digital Schoolhouse took place in 2006 with the 2009 conference being the third of a growing tradition.

Graduation Coaches - By the Numbers!

2009-03-30T08:43:00.000-07:00

10 Reasons Graduation Coaches Rock!

1. Over 84% of graduation coaches are working with a Graduation Team and 76% are members of their school's Leadership Team.

2. More than 99% of graduation coaches have used Attendance Interventions, which often include Parental Engagement and Outreach.

3. Over 99% of graduation coaches provide Academic Advisement to their students.

4. Nearly 93% of graduation coaches have worked with their cluster schools and have created Transition Programs for students.

5. Over 97% of graduation coaches provide General Academic Tutoring.

6. Nearly 90% of graduation coaches have used Peer-to-Peer Mentoring.

7. Over 81% of graduation coaches use Caring Adult in the Building programs.

8. Almost 70% of graduation coaches work with Community Mentors.

9. Over 72% of graduation coaches provide College/Career Programs and guidance.

10. Nearly 88% of graduation coaches offer Life and Social Skills support to their students.

This information first appeared in The Coach, A Newsletter for Georgia's Graduation Coaches and reflects data from the Fall 2008 Survey.

GPEE Bus Trip Across Georiga: Snapshot of the Riders

2009-03-26T12:58:00.000-07:00

Strengthening the Pipeline to Graduation

For 16 years, the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education has established a "bus route" into communities and classrooms all over Georgia, lifting up and celebrating success in education. GPEE reports in their "rider's guide" that in 15 years, more than 1,750 riders have participated in these Bus Trips, making almost 260 stops in more than 120 school systems and communities, covering a total distance of more than 24,000 miles.

Fall, 2008, two buses, with riders from classroom teachers, administrators, pre-service students along with business and community leaders set out to discover what Georgia schools need to do provide "top-notch educational opportunities for all students". Under the banner of Strengthening the Pipeline to Graduation, the 16th Annual Bus Trip Across Georgia took off again.

Snapshot of the Riders

North Route Chair, Jackie Parker. Jackie is Vice-President, Glrobal Inclusion & Diversity and Head of Corporate Philanthropy for Newell Rubbermaid.

Students majoring in education and college administrators were among the Bus Riders. Colleges and universities represented on the North Route included: Kennesaw State University, Macon State College, Fort Valley State, Clayton State University and Dalton State College.

Andrew Cameron, Senior Program Director with Amazing Young Minds and Atheletes Corp. represented the High School for Recording Arts/Studio 4.

Leanne Maule, 2009 Georgia Teacher of the Year
Leanne was chosen from a pool of 141 applicants that were selected as Teacher of the Year by their individual school districts.
Ten finalists were chosen based upon the scores of the essays on their applications, and interview process and observations in their school.

Andrea King and Susan Grigg are the Georgia recipients of the 2008 Milken Awards.

From the website:

The Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards program provides public recognition and financial rewards to elementary and secondary schoolteachers, principals and other education professionals who are furthering excellence in education. By honoring outstanding educators, the program strives to attract, develop, motivate and retain talented people to the challenge and adventure of teaching.

GA Education Issues Reported on GPB's Lawmakers

2009-03-23T11:50:00.000-07:00

Follow the Georgia General Assembly on Education Issues

Check in with Georgia Public Broadcasting's Lawmakers program for nightly coverage of the Georgia General Assembly. The program is in its 39th year and airs every night the Assembly convenes for the duration of the legislative session. Lawmakers is another resource for citizens to use to keep up with the issues that affect Georgia schools.

Follow this link to view recent education coverage on the Lawmakers program.

Best Practices on View in Georgia Schools: GPEE Bus Trip Across Georgia

2009-03-10T12:45:00.000-07:00

Strengthening the Pipeline to Graduation

What is a more universal symbol for education than the big yellow school bus? For 16 years, the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education has taken that symbol and established a "bus route" into communities and classrooms all over Georgia, lifting up and celebrating success in education. GPEE reports in their "rider's guide" that in 15 years, more than 1,750 riders have participated in these Bus Trips, making almost 260 stops in more than 120 school systems and communities, covering a total distance of more than 24,000 miles.

Fall, 2008, two buses, with riders from classroom teachers, administrators, pre-service students along with business and community leaders set out to discover what Georgia schools need to do provide "top-notch educational opportunities for all students". Under the banner of Strengthening the Pipeline to Graduation, the 16th Annual Bus Trip Across Georgia took off again. The North Route included stops at Central Education Center (Newnan), 12 for Life/Southwire/Carroll County Schools (Carrollton), Advanced Academy of Georgia (Carrollton), Marietta High School (Marietta), Pickens County Middle School (Jasper), D. Scott Hudgens, Jr. Early Learning Center (Lawrenceville) and East Jackson Elementary School (Commerce). The South Route included stops at Huntington Middle School (Warner Robins), Schley Middle/High School (Ellaville), International Studies Elementary Charter School (Albany), Funston Elementary School (Funston), Hand-In-Hand Primary School (Thomasville) and Lowndes High School (Valdosta).

Jackie Parker, Vice President, Global Inclusion and Diversity, Corporate Philanthropy at Newell Rubbermaid served as Chair for the North trip.
Julie C. Smith, Director, External Affairs for Verizon was the Chair for the South Trip.

Now is the time to think about Georgia schools and programs that are working hard and being successful at meeting the education needs of all the students. Is there a best practice in your school or a story of outstanding community support that would be helpful to share with others? Nominate your school for the 17th Annual Bus Trip Across Georgia. Wednesday, March 25, 2009 is the deadline for returning nomination forms to GPEE.

Webcast: Improving Graduation Rates Through Virtual Schooling

2009-03-05T09:12:00.000-08:00

SOLUTIONS TO THE DROPOUT CRISIS

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

3:30-4:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Improving Graduation Rates Through Virtual Schooling

presented by
Mr. Stuart Udelll

*What role can virtual schooling play in dropout prevention?

*What success have others had with virtual schools?

*With current budget restrictions, are virtual schools cost effective?

In his 2008 book Disrupting Class, Clayton Christensen, Harvard business School professor and noted author on disruptive technology and innovation, suggests that within the next decade, U.S. high school students may be taking up to 5o% of their courses virtually. While independent virtual schools have begun to proliferate outside the traditional school system, Stuart will discuss alternative models of virtual schooling that school and districts may embrace to keep students "within their borders". In addition, he will examine the potential for helping to improve graduation rates through virtual education models.

On the day of the webcast, log on 10-30 minutes early to ensure you are connected to the broadcast @ www.dropoutprevention.org/webcast.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
Supplementary materials are now available online. All necessary information about participating fully in this professional development opportunity is found on the website. For further questions, contact the National Dropout Prevention Center or call 864.656.2580.

PARTICIPATION IN THE WEBCAST
Participation in this webcast is free and no registration is required. The program will be archived in its entirety on the website. On the day of the webcast, link to the broadcast. This webast is produced with support from Penn Foster. If you have trouble with the link, copy and paste the entire address listed below into your web browser:

http://guest.cvent.com/i.aspx?1Q,P1,F063CEFD-2B16-4933-9440-BC7ACFDCF044

GA Grad Coaches Share Best Practice

2009-03-02T07:54:00.000-08:00

Graduation Coaches Share Best Practices at The National Dropout Prevention Conference

When the National Dropout Prevention Conference came to Atlanta in late 2008, sessions presented by Georgia Graduation Coaches were some of the most worthwhile throughout the 4-day event. Here are two examples:

Georgia's Fulton County Schools were represented by a team of Middle School Graduation Coaches. This enthusiastic and dedicated group of educators shared examples of what they do in their schools to meet the needs of students. In a presentation entitled Lighting the Torch in Middle School, we got a glimpse of how these Coaches create individual and group sessions, credit recovery programs, creating plans for success for students, offering parent workshops, encouraging community partners, mentoring programs and offering parent workshops. Machelle Allen, Andrea Cheetham, Mimi Gamel, Robyn Magnussen, Andrea Walker, Jennifer Wilson and F.J. "Harvey" Oaxaca all work to create a culture for their schools that is highly motivated and enthusiastic with a "no excuses" mindset. Fulton County Schools offers a website that you can visit for more details on these programs and to contact the Coaches by email.

Gloria Santana-Gelin, Graduation Coach at Dobbins Middle School, led a round table discussion on her school's Pen Pal Program. The program currently includes 5th grade students from feeder elementary schools paired with 6th grade students in the current middle school. It also includes 8th grade students from the current middle school and the 9th grade students in high school. Four letters are written in the Language Arts classes with participation being voluntary for teachers and students. Ms. Santana-Gelin plays a central role in matching the pen pals and working with the classroom teachers on appropriate content for the letters.

Feedback to date from teachers is that this is both a good way to prepare the students for the next grade level and to get the older students involved in school as a role model for others. Students want to hear from their peers about decisons and choices that they will have to make as they make the transition to the next grade level.

Visit the designated websites for more information on the National Dropout Prevention Center/Network and for the Georgia Graduation Coach program.

Georgia Administrator Named 2009 Superintendent of the Year

2009-02-26T11:06:00.000-08:00

Dr. Beverly L. Hall Named as 2009 National Superintendent of the Year

The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) named Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall as the 2009 National Superintendent of the Year at their recent conference held in San Francisco. This is a top professional honor for a K-12 school administrator. In addition to this national recognition, a $10,000 scholarship will be presented to a high school student in Dr. Hall's name.

Dr. Hall was one of four finalists selected by the ASSA judges from the 49 state-level and overseas candidates. The other finalists selected were Dr. Suzanne Freeman of Trussville, Alabama City Schools: Dr. Eugene G. White of Indianapolis Public Schools; and Dr. Stu Silberman of Fayette county, Kentucky Public Schools. Dr. Hall, along with these three administrators have been invited to participate in the October 2010 AASA State Superintendents of the Year Forum to discuss pertinent education issues.

Selection Criteria

AASA selected Dr. Hall as National Superintendent of the Year based on four criteria:

*Leadership for Learning: creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in his or her school system

*Communication: strength in both personal and organizational communication

*Professionalism: constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills while providing professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team

*Community Involvement: active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national and international issues

More detailed information about this exciting announcement can be found in the Atlanta Public Schools press release and in the AASA press release.

Thank you to Joe Manguno, APS Media Relations Specialist, for providing information and photographs for this blog post.
Contact:
404.802.2829
jmanguno@atlantapublicschools.us

Spring '09 Deadlines for Education Grants

2009-02-26T08:39:00.000-08:00

FUNDamentals!

Grants Currently Available for Educators

There is no single place that lists all available grants for education. That’s why it is important to identify and get on the mailing lists of those online sites that are most helpful and complete. This blog has mentioned this – and named names – on several occasions. One of those helpful lists is Education Funding Watch, the Foundation Center's newsletter devoted to education. You will also find links to other education-related news, resources, funding opportunities for individuals and organizations, and job listings. Education Funding Watch is available by registering at the Foundation Center's Web site.

Listed below are just a few of the currently available grants listed in the most recent issue of Education Funding Watch:

BP Invites Teachers to Apply for Energy Education Grants
Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to pre-K and K-12 teachers in the United States and Alberta, Canada, working to incorporate energy and/or energy conservation education in the classroom....
Deadline: 3/09/09

Educators Invited to Apply for ING Unsung Heroes Program
One hundred K-12 educators across the country will receive grants of up to $27,000 to help fund innovative classroom projects...
Deadline: 4/30/09

Jordan Fundamentals Grant Program Offers Support for Public School Teachers
Grants to be used for project-related expenses will be awarded to K-12 teachers or paraprofessionals in the U.S. working to improve academic achievement through student engagement, student-teacher relationships, and/or building the capacity of teachers...
Deadline: 4/15/09

While you are at the Foundation Center website, be sure to look at the free Basic Classroom Training Courses, as well as free online guides, tutorials and webinars.

Grants are out there and available. Unfortunately, most schools do not have the services of a professional grant writer. So, it is up to you to take advantage of the training available to find and capture the grants that will enrich your classroom, your students and your school. To quote from Ralph Stayer, CEO of Johnsonville Foods and co-author of Flight of the Buffalo, “If it is to be, it is up to me. If it is up to me, it shall be.”

If you find a really great list of available grants, please be sure to share it with us. Send it as a comment to this blog.

Sandy Spruill is the Grants Administrator at Georgia Public Broadcasting and a Member of the American Association of Grants Professionals.

Increasing the Graduation Rate, Part 2

2009-02-11T12:05:00.000-08:00

Dropout Prevention Programs

The is the second in a new series of articles on the the commissioned research study, Increasing the Graduation Rate. Dr. Donna O'Neal, the author of the final report, will discuss the report and break out the findings in upcoming Georgia Graduation Stories blog posts for educators, parents, community and state leaders who are invested in increasing Georgia's High School Graduation Rate.

Increasing the Graduation Rate, Part 2
A study commissioned by the Governor’s Office, the Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education.

The research identified more than 20 programs and interventions that are used in Georgia schools specifically to increase the graduation rate. Many of the Georgia experts interviewed indicate that the State level initiatives that they oversee are based on scientific research. However, school level experts had difficulty identifying a research base on which they implemented most of the local initiatives. Experts also indicate that little or no professional learning nor skill development for implementers is provided for many programs and interventions. Generally, continuous improvement efforts are missing statewide.

Many of the programs and interventions identified in this study are implemented in varying ways and in varying degrees across the State. According to the experts, there are many independent variables at work, and in many cases there is no fidelity of implementation. What is fidelity of implementation? Assuming that each intervention is based on scientific research, fidelity of implementation is the degree to which practitioners:

*Implement the intervention as prescribed by those who designed and evaluated the intervention,

*Avoid implementing factors that are not prescribed by those who designed and evaluated the intervention,

*Have and use the professional learning and skills prescribed as necessary by the designers to implement the intervention successfully.

For Phase II of this research, researchers should consider the research on which programs or interventions are based, look to the research for implementation criteria established for the program or intervention, and identify and quantify the criteria that would significantly impact the success of the intervention. Additionally, researchers should locate such programs and interventions in Georgia and test for fidelity of implementation. The researchers should collect and analyze data of program effectiveness and report the effectiveness of the program or intervention and the criteria necessary for effective implementation.

Additionally, the research has the following recommendations:

*Analyze the processes and rationale used to assign potential dropouts to interventions and programs

*Consider moving to a standards-based grading system

*Consider working with the U.S. Department of Education to use End-of-Course Tests rather than the Georgia High School Graduation Tests for national and State accountability systems

*Include research regarding school factors that impact the graduation rate in school improvement efforts

*Evaluate the Remedial Education Program and its funding

*Identify, analyze, and compare schools that graduate more than 85 percent of their students and those that graduate 60 percent or less

*Identify and analyze school systems that have dramatically increased their graduation rate

*Ensure that schools that have a high dropout rate receive intensive school improvement efforts

*Analyze State and local policies that impact the graduation rate

Incorporate the findings of this study in professional learning opportunities for Georgia educators

*Consider commissioning a report similar to The Silent Epidemic to put a personal face on the dropout issues and to bring a sense of urgency to Georgia’s dropout problem.

In Conclusion

With this, local and State decision makers should have the information needed to make informed decisions about how to best identify potential dropouts and how to design, implement, and/or evaluate programs and interventions which focus on keeping students in school.

Please add your comments and questions directly on the blog. Also, we would like to know how you are using data in your school or organization. Look for future articles by Dr. O’Neal on this topic. We hope you will become a regular visitor to the Georgia Graduation Stories blog site.

Georgia Public Broadcasting is pleased to welcome Dr. Donna O’Neal as our newest contributor to the Georgia Graduation Stories blog. Dr. O’Neal is the Director of The Next Generation School Project for the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education.

Increasing the Graduation Rate

2009-02-11T09:10:00.000-08:00

DATA NEEDED AND AVAILABLE TO MAKE QUALITY DECISIONS

The is the first in a new series of articles on the the commissioned research study, Increasing the Graduation Rate. Dr. Donna O'Neal, the author of the final report, will discuss the report and break out the findings in upcoming Georgia Graduation Stories blog posts for educators, parents, community and state leaders who are invested in increasing Georgia's High School Graduation Rate.

Increasing the Graduation Rate, Part 1

The State of Georgia has extensive school improvement efforts underway, from working with low performing schools in continuous improvement efforts to implementation of a new standards-based curriculum to the implementation of more rigorous graduation requirements. Efforts are paying off - Georgia’s graduation rate is increasing. However, the problem remains, and thousands of students drop out of Georgia schools each year. Georgia’s dropout rate must be tackled directly, comprehensively, and strategically.

In order to provide effective and efficient programs and interventions for students who are potential dropouts, Georgia first must have an accurate way to predict which specific students will drop out of school. Then the State must provide to those students programs and/or interventions which are proven to keep students in school through graduation. Data on the identification of potential dropouts and on program effectiveness must be analyzed. However, there is no clearinghouse of what data are available in the State of Georgia and exactly where the data are located. Therefore, this research was commissioned by the Governor’s Office, the Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education.

Experts from Georgia and the national level were identified and asked to review the research. Agencies and other entities that may have data that would help answer the research questions were also identified. A series of six focus groups were held and interviews conducted. From those focus groups, interviews of other experts, and a review of the literature and data needed to increase Georgia’s graduation rate were identified. In addition, dropout intervention programs were identified and reviewed and data charts were created.

Click here for the full report and details on the research methodology.

Predicting Who Will Dropout of School

Most dropout prevention programs use checklists of risk factors to identify potential dropouts. In this study, more than 40 factors were identified as indicators that students would likely drop out of school. However, the research indicates that these factors are poor predictors of which individual students will actually drop out. There are problems with using checklists to identify individual students to which to target interventions.

It is difficult to know which characteristics and how many predict which specific students will drop out of school.Many students are misidentified. Many students are placed in intervention programs although they probably would not have dropped out, and many potential dropouts are not identified and not provided programs nor interventions. While both sets of misidentified students are troubling, the former uses valuable resources on students who are not likely to drop out of school.

Checklists that are based on a general population with no consideration of students in a specific locale are not efficient in the identification of specific students who will drop out of school.

Since using general checklists to identify specific students who are likely to drop out are ineffective and inefficient, Georgia’s education decision makers at the State and local levels need a set of risk factors that more accurately predict which individual students in Georgia are likely to drop out of school. Research calls for the development of an effective and efficient early warning system. It is recommended that the State conduct a cohort-based, longitudinal study to identify risk factors and pathways which lead Georgia students to drop out of school prior to graduation. Researchers should collect and analyze existing information on cohorts of Georgia students who have moved through the system previously. Analyzing data on past cohorts of students will enable the State to better predict who will drop out in future cohorts.

There are subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, variations in student populations from community to community and school to school. As Georgia creates and evaluates its data system to identify potential dropouts in Georgia at the state level, it should include a mechanism where school systems and individual schools can enter local cohort, longitudinal data that the State may not have which would enable school systems and schools to predict more accurately dropouts at the local level. These data, once collected, can be analyzed for school systems, for demographically similar schools, and for specific middle and high schools. Educators, then, could create profiles which more accurately predict the potential dropouts of a particular locale. This study chronicles two methods to develop a locale-specific data system to predict which particular students will drop out and how this can be done efficiently and effectively.

The research also recommends the following regarding additional data that would assist decision makers:

*Analysis of reasons why so many Georgia students fail the ninth grade,

*Analysis of why so many Georgia seniors do not graduate,

*Analysis of the process used by Graduation Coaches to identify potential dropouts, and

*Analysis of the data gleaned from a more in-depth exit interview process.

Please add your comments and questions directly to the blog. Tell us how you are using date in your school or organization.

Become a regular visitor to the Georgia Graduation Stories blog site.

Georgia Highlighted at National Dropout Prevention Conference

2009-02-10T12:11:00.000-08:00

Georgia's Education Leaders as Keynote Speakers

In November, 2008, Atlanta was host to the 20th Annual Dropout Prevention Network Conference. Carrying the Torch of Dreams...Every Student Graduates was the conference theme. It influenced general sessions, roundtable discussions, site visits and small discussion groups that filled the 3-day schedule for classroom teachers, administrators and guidance counselors in attendance from all over the United States. Presenting partners for the conference included: Communities in Schools in Georgia, Georgia Department of Education, National Dropout Prevention/Network, National Dropout Prevention Center for Students with Disabilities, North Georgia Learning Resources System, and The Georgia Regional Education Services Agencies (RESAs).

Creating a Culture of Hope was the theme of the Opening General Session presented by Dr. Molly Howard. Dr. Howard is the Principal at Jefferson County High School in Louisville, Georgia. She is also the 2008 NASSP/MetLife National High School Principal of the Year. Dr. Howard was introduced to the conference as "the principal who took a failing school in rural Georgia and over the next three years converted it into a dramatic example of how a school can reinvent itself. Consolidating schools into one high school provided the catalyst for change and created a sense of urgency. Factors in this rural central Georgia county: Generational poverty, 12-15% went onto post secondary education, highest dropout rate in the state, highest teenage pregnancy rate and one of the highest low birth weight in the Southeast.

Talking points Dr. Howard offered under the heading of Lessons Learned Along the Way:
*Become a Reflective Practitioner
* Education leaders are architects of hope
* Successful schools have a specific, focused vision led by a strong set of core beliefs
* Each student is challenged academically
* Personalized learning - prior failures do not define a student's potential
* In leadership, power and influence do not emanate from position - power emanates from and
through relationships
* Students need to see real world relevance for their efforts

Dr. Howard can now describe Jefferson County High School's accomplishments in terms of 68% of the students receive a diploma and a certificate of program completion at a local technical college and /or a 4-year Georgia state college. Jefferson County High School is preparing students for high demand, high wage jobs.

Georgia's Gov. Sonny Perdue and Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools, addressed the conference in the Closing Keynote Address. They stressed that the #1 Goal in the P-20 education experience is that everyone is pulling together to increase the high school graduation rate, decrease the dropout rate and increase post-secondary enrollment. Students will stay in school when they see it as relevant to their life and when they know that someone in that school is counting on them to finish. The collaboration between the high school and middle school Graduation Coaches and Guidance Counselors is a significant factor in recent increases in Georgia's high school graduation rate.

15 Effective Strategies for Dropout Prevention

2009-02-03T12:00:00.000-08:00

STRATEGIES THAT IMPACT THE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE

Since 1986, the National Drop out Prevention Center/Network (NDPC/N) has conducted and analyzed research, sponsored extensive workshops, and collaborated with a variety of practitioners to further the mission of reducing America's dropout rate by meeting the needs of youth in at-risk situations, including students with disabilities.

Students report a variety of reasons for dropping out of school; therefore, the solutions are multidimensional. The NDPC/N has identified 15 Effective Strategies that have the most positive impact on the high school graduation rate. These strategies appear to be independent, but actually work well together and frequently overlap. Although they can be implemented as stand-alone programs (i.e. mentoring or family engagement projects), positive outcomes will result when school districts develop a program improvement plan that encompasses most or all of these strategies. These strategies have been successful in all school levels from K-12 and in rural, suburban or urban centers.

School and Community Perspective
* Systemic Renewal
* School-Community Collaboration
* Safe Learning Environments

Early Intervention
* Family Engagement
* Early Childhood Education
* Early Literacy Development

Basic Core Strategies
* Mentoring/Tutoring
* Service-Learning
* Alternative Schooling
* After-School Opportunities

Making the Most of Instruction
* Professional Development
* Active Learning
* Educational Technology
* Individualized Instruction
* Career and Technical Education (CTE)

This information is part of a handout provided at the 2008 National Dropout Prevention Conference. For more details about this research, contact:
National Dropout Prevention Center/Network
College of Health, Education and Human Development
Clemson University, 209 Martin Street, Clemson, SC 29631-1555
Telephone: 864.656.2599 email: ndpc@clemson.edu

Webcast: Engaging Families in the Pathway to College

2009-02-03T09:23:00.000-08:00

SOLUTIONS TO THE DROPOUT CRISIS

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

3:30-4:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Engaging Families in the Pathway to College

presented by
Anne T. Henderson

*What does a family-school partnership look like?

*How can schools and teachers encourage parents to become educational advocates for their children?

The flip side of dropout prevention is planning for a positive future. Families play a critical role in helping student set goals, navigate the system, and plan for post-secondary education and a career. What school staff do to inform and support families to play this role makes an enormous difference to student success. Learn what the research says about specific practices that school staff and community partners have used in schools that are beating the odds with low-income students.

If you have questions on this subject that you would like to discuss with Anne Henderson, be sure to tune in to the live broadcast.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
Supplementary materials are now available online. All necessary information about participating fully in this professional development opportunity is found on the website. For further questions, contact the National Dropout Prevention Center or call 864.656.2580.

PARTICIPATION IN THE WEBCAST
Participation in this webcast is free and no registration is required. The program will be archived in its entirety on the website. On the day of the webcast, link to the broadcast. If you have trouble with the link, copy and paste the entire address listed below into your web browser:

http://guest.cvent.com/i.aspx?1Q,P1,F063CEFD-2B16-4933-9440-BC7ACFDCF044

SAT Online Prep Course - for Free

2009-02-03T07:44:00.000-08:00

FREE ACCESS TO COLLEGE BOARD'S SAT ONLINE PREP COURSE AVAILABLE TO GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

By KATHY COX
State Superintendent of Schools

Parents, would you like your child to score 50 points higher on the SAT without spending an extra dime?
If so, we have a great offer for you.

The state of Georgia offers high school students free access to the SAT Online Prep Course developed by the College Board, the group that administers the SAT. This online course gives students access to virtual preparation exercises, review quizzes and several practice tests. The practice quizzes and tests, including the essay portion, are scored and feedback is given directly to the student.

The free SAT Online Prep Course is open to all Georgia high school students – public, private and home schooled. While usage of the program continues to rise, we want to make sure that every parent and student knows about it and knows the impact it can have.

Among Georgia's 2008 graduating seniors, the students who used the free SAT Prep Course scored significantly better on all portions of this important college entrance exam. On average, these students:
- Scored 13 points better on the critical reading section
- Scored 19 points better on the mathematics section
- Scored 16 points better on the writing section

That means the students who used the online course scored, on average, a total of 48 points higher than those who did not.
As you well know, 48 points could be the difference between getting into the college of your choice or not.

So, if you are, like me, the parent of a high school student in
Georgia, please make sure he or she registers for the free Online SAT Prep Course and takes full advantage of it. It’s an easy – and economical – way
to help your student be as successful as possible on this very important
test.

Public school students should visit their guidance office to ask for a card that has an access code for the course. Private school and home-schooled students should go to the Georgia Department of Education’s
website to register.

Kathy Cox, a parent and a veteran classroom teacher, is Georgia’s Superintendent of Schools.