GA Graduation and Collaboration Coaches Highlighted

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

See What's New

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.

A Guide to Engineering for Girls

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

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

The Nation's Report Card: Arts 2008

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.

Students Experience Homelessness in Atlanta

"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".

What Will Middle School Be Like?

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

Webcast: Call Me MISTER

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

Webcast: Dropout Prevention in the Digital Society

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

GA Grad Coaches Share Best Practice

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.

Latino Youth Leadership Conference

The Latin American Association’s

9^th Annual Latino Youth Leadership Conference

INSPIRE, PREPARE & MOTIVATE

WHAT: The southeast’s premier Latino Youth Leadership Conference in its ninth edition.

WHEN: October 18, 2008; 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Georgia State University, Atlanta GA

Creating YOUR Masterpiece! ¡Creando TU Obra Maestra!

Over 1,300 students along with 190 parents and about 80 teachers will attend the southeast’s premier conference on Latino Youth Leadership this coming October. In its ninth year, this conference deals with a wide variety of topics for students, teachers and parents, including education, leadership, diversity and challenges facing youth today.

Students will interact with peers from all over the state of Georgia and work on topics ranging from college preparation to gang prevention. Since its inception in 2000, the conference’s attendance has been growing annually, with last year’s attendance exceeding six times the attendance at the first conference. The day is filled with opportunities for students, parents and teachers to interact with all of the major universities in the metro Atlanta area who attend the event as exhibitors. The attendees also have the chance to hear success stories from world renowned keynote speakers. This event has become the catalyst for Latino youth in Georgia to pursue their educational goals and improve their chances of success.

Sponsors for the event include: Turner Broadcasting, Comcast, WalMart, The Coca Cola Company, State Farm and Wachovia.

Questions? Please Contact:

Massiel Silva

Youth Coordinator, Annual Latino Youth Leadership Conference

Latin American Association – 2750 Buford Highway – Atlanta GA 30324

Email: msilva@thelaa.org.

The Latin American Association helps Latino families achieve their aspirations for their academic, social and economic development. We accomplish this through direct programs and integrated community partnerships that focus on youth academic achievement, education and prevention, and services to families with urgent needs. The LAA offers employment, immigration and translation services, as well as programs for youth, computer classes, parenting classes, and English and Spanish language classes.

Setting Goals and Looking for Solutions through the Game of Chess

Challenging Students to Think Ahead or Fall Behind

Pine Ridge Elementary School in DeKalb County offered a morning of chess instruction to a small group of 5^th grade students. It was that time of the school year when standardized tests were being scheduled, and 5^th graders were facing the excitement and challenges of moving onto Middle School.

The students were introduced to Mr. Orrin Hudson of BeSomeone, Inc. Through a demonstration, sharing of his personal history and setting up games of chess for small groups, Mr. Hudson encouraged the participating students to focus, observe and form strategies for solving the chess problem in front of them. The teachers joined in by reinforcing the point that the skills students just used to be successful in their chess game are some of the essential skills needed for success in school

Mr. Hudson has received national attention for his motivational work in on the CBS Morning Show, Time for Kids and People Magazine. His efforts were also recognized by the Georgia State Legislature during their 2008 session.

Making the Transistion from Middle School to High School

W.E.B. DuBois Society Helps Students Make Good Choices

On a Saturday in February, 2008, the W.E.B. DuBois Society hosted an event at Spelman College that featured Step UP Workshops for middle school students. The workshops are part of a 20-week enrichment program of seminars and field trips. The Step UP Workshops are conducted by the high school students, know as DuBois Scholars, who serve in a mentoring role to middle school students and were the workshop leaders.




Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

Often the transition to high school will mean a new school – private or public. This presentation will explore and offer a perspective on the challenges, opportunities and feelings of discomfort that can come with being in a new environment with different people and potentially different cultures; meeting new people, new and/or different rules; the need to let go of old behaviors, habits and friendships and develop new behaviors, habits and friendships; and to confront the fears or concerns that can sometimes accompany all of this change and personal growth.

Transition from Elementary to Middle School

A Day in the Life

At the end of the school year, most students thing about their summer vacation. For students making the transition from Elementary to Middle School, those dreams of summer fun can be interrupted by nightmares of what the first days of middle school might be like. Will they get on the right school bus? What they make the right decision about that first day of school outfit to wear? The worst fear for some is the school locker.

The faculty, students and staff of Richard Hull Middle School in Gwinnett County addressed these fears with a video project called A Day in the Life. This engaging and Cine award winning video plays out the fears that 6th grade students might have. It then shows the potential students what to expect in a real first day of Middle School. There is even a happy ending to the school locker adventure.
A video clip from A Day in the Life is provided here through the courtesy of Richard Hull Middle School. More information on this project can be found at the school's website. Christopher Gegen wrote and directed the project.


Enjoy those summer dreams!