Georgia Title I Distinguished Schools and Districts Awarded‏

State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox officially named Georgia's four Title I Distinguished Districts, two National Title I Distinguished Schools and 896 Georgia Title I Distinguished Schools at the State Board of Education meeting on Wednesday.

"These districts and schools are a prime example of the impact high expectations, hard work and collaboration can have on student achievement," Superintendent Cox said. "I'm thrilled to recognize the educators, students and parents in these schools and school districts."

Title I schools have a significant population of students who are economically disadvantaged and receive federal money to assist with the education of these students. The two National Title I Distinguished Schools are among the total 896 Georgia Title I Distinguished Schools. Title I Distinguished Schools have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) at least three years in a row.

"These 896 schools don't accept excuses," Superintendent Cox said. "There are high standards for students and high expectations for teachers. These schools are focused and determined -- and they are getting results."

Title I Distinguished Schools that have made AYP for three consecutive years are awarded a certificate, while those who have made AYP four or more years receive a monetary award, paid for out of federal funds. The number of Title I Distinguished Schools has grown significantly since 2003, when 116 schools were recognized.

Title I Distinguished Districts

The Title I Distinguished District award is given to four school systems in four different size categories -- Large District, Medium District, Small District and Very Small District. The awarded districts have closed the achievement gap the most between economically disadvantaged students and students who are not economically disadvantaged in each category. The results of the reading, English language arts and mathematics portions of the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) and the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) are used to determine achievement.

The 2009 Title I Distinguished Districts are:

* Large District: Henry County
* Medium: Marietta City
* Small District: Brooks County
* Very Small District: Chattahoochee County

The winning districts will each receive $50,000 from federal funds.

National Title I Distinguished Schools

The National Title I Distinguished Schools program recognizes two schools that receive Title I funding. One school is recognized for closing the achievement gap between economically disadvantaged students and students that are not economically disadvantaged. The other school is recognized for exceeding the benchmarks required to make AYP. The CRCT and GHSGT results in reading, English language arts and mathematics are used to determine the winning schools.

The two National Title I Distinguished Schools are:

* Closing the Gap: Echols County Schools (9-12), Echols County
* Meets and Exceeds Performance: Gainesville High School, Gainesville City

Each of these schools will receive $15,000 in federal funds.

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Heron Bay Academy to Submit Petition to Georgia Charter School Commission

New commission critical to state’s efforts to provide high quality schools

Heron Bay Academy will be among the first schools to submit a petition to the newly founded Georgia Charter School Commission. The charter application will be submitted on August 1, 2009, with an answer expected by December 2009. The Georgia Charter School Commission was created by House Bill 881 in May 2008 due the high number of charter school petitions that have been denied by local school boards.

The General Assembly found in House Bill 881 that charter schools were a critical component to the state of Georgia’s efforts to provide efficient and high-quality schools within the state’s uniform system of public education. The Assembly also found that charter schools in the state have contributed to enhanced student performance while empowering parents to best fit the individual needs of their children.

A recent analysis of the state's Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) data indicated that charter schools in Georgia, particularly those that are started independently from school districts, are performing better than traditional public schools.

“Charter Public Schools provide students with quality options in public K-12 education so they many find the best setting to become productive members of our community,” said Andrew Lewis, chief programming officer with The Georgia Charter Schools Association.

Heron Bay Academy is to be built on the grounds of Heron Bay Golf and Country Club, a master-planned community in Locust Grove, Ga. The proposed school will offer in-depth education including rigorous core training in language arts, math, science, humanities, social studies and Spanish.

Heron Bay had submitted its charter petition to two different school boards for fall of 2010, however in a vote on June 30, the Griffin-Spalding School Board voted to deny the Charter petition for The Academy. The petition was also denied by the Henry Board of Education on July 13.

“In spite of their vote for denial, members of both boards commented on the strength of the charter petition and noted that the school’s educational program and structure was unique, solid and unquestioned,” said Marilyn Bowman, of Mosaica Education, one of the nation’s leading private operators of K-12 public schools who help bring the benefits of the competition and private sector efficiency to the public school system.

Minerva Properties, the developer of Heron Bay Golf & Country Club, and Mosaica Education have a unique vision to unite the community with a neighborhood charter school designed to promote educational excellence, parental partnerships and community stewardship. If you would like to partner with the school or join the Parent Advisory Committee, please contact Marilyn Bowman at mbowman@mosaicaeducation.com or Stacy Patton at spatton@minerva-usa.com. Interested individuals may also come to an Update Meeting on Heron Bay Academy at the Heron Bay Lodge on August 18, at 7:00 pm.

About Heron Bay Academy:
Heron Bay Academy is targeted to open in the fall of 2010 as a K-6 program for students residing in Spalding and Henry Counties. The school will be tuition-free and will expand one grade level per year up to the 8th grade. The academy is supported by parents, community leaders, and local businesses and organizations who believe passionately in the school’s mission and the importance of quality education and school choice in Locust Grove. Partnering with parents, Heron Bay Academy will create an ideal learning environment in which students strive for academic excellence, explore a diverse curriculum, become responsible stewards, and develop into lifelong learners. An important component of the educational program is Paragon - an interdisciplinary, hands-on social studies curriculum incorporating the arts and humanities
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More than 79% of Schools Make AYP

Big gains in Elementary and Middle Grades
58 Schools Lose "Needs Improvement" Label

More than 79 percent of Georgia's public schools made Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, according to initial results released today -- a 10 point jump over 2008.

Additionally, 58 schools across the state shook the "Needs Improvement" label by having made AYP for two consecutive years.

"The initial AYP results demonstrate that our students are continuing to make excellent progress even as we raise expectations," said State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox. "Clearly, our teachers and students are working harder than ever and we're seeing the results."

Superintendent Cox released the initial 2009 AYP Report this morning while speaking at the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL) conference in Jekyll Island. The final AYP report will be released in the fall and will include summer retest scores and summer graduates.
Compared to initial AYP results last year, the 2009 report shows that:

- The percentage of schools making AYP jumped more than 10 points from 68.8% to 79.1%.
- The percentage of elementary schools making AYP jumped 13.4 points and the percentage of middle schools jumped 10.4 points.
- The percentage of Title 1 schools making AYP increased by more than 13 points, from 64.8% to 78.4% (Title 1 schools have a significant population of economically-disadvantaged students).
Superintendent Cox said the improvements that elementary and middle school students showed in mathematics are a big part of the AYP results. Pass rates on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) in mathematics improved in all grades across the state (More information: http://www.gadoe.org/pea_communications.aspx?ViewMode=1&obj=1822).

"Mathematics achievement was a key to our improvement in AYP results this year," said Superintendent Cox. "We are asking our students to learn more rigorous mathematics and they are showing us that they can do it!"

The percentage of high schools making AYP continues to lag behind. In 2009, just over 47 percent of the state's high schools made AYP, a slight decrease from 2008's initial results.

"We know there is a lot of hard work going on in our high schools," Superintendent Cox said. "We need to continue to study the data and work together to make sure our high schools are not only meeting AYP goals but are preparing students for the 21st century."

AYP is the formula used to determine if schools are meeting expectations under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. It consists of three parts -- test participation, academic achievement and another statistic, called a "second indicator." The academic goals continue to rise every few years toward a goal of 100 percent proficiency for all students by 2014. This year, all of the academic goals remained the same as 2008, although the graduation rate bar went up.

All students at a school, as well as any qualifying subgroup of students, must meet goals in all three categories in order to "make AYP." Schools that do not make AYP for two consecutive years in the same subject are placed in "Needs Improvement" status and face escalating consequences. For more information on AYP, go to http://tinyurl.com/AYPFAQ2009.

58 Schools No Longer in “Needs Improvement”

Initial results show that 58 schools came out of "Needs Improvement" -- or NI -- status by making AYP for the second consecutive year. Twelve of those schools had been in NI status for five or more years and were facing the highest level of sanctions.

"Getting out of NI status isn't easy," Superintendent Cox said. "These 58 schools should be very proud of their accomplishments, but need to remain focused in order to keep improving."

There are 334 schools in NI status for the coming school year. These schools must offer parents options, such as public school choice or federally-funded tutoring. Depending on how long these schools have been in NI, some may have to make structural or organizational changes to improve student achievement.

In 2008, there were 340 NI schools after the initial results were released. That number dropped to 308 after retests, summer graduates and appeals were worked into the formula.

"I believe we will see the number of NI schools drop again when we do our final AYP determinations in the fall," Superintendent Cox said.

Graduation Rate

The state's initial 2009 graduation rate is 77.8 percent. That is up from the initial 2008 graduation rate of 74.4 percent and the final 2008 graduation rate of 75.4 percent, which included summer graduates.

"Improving the graduation rate continues to be a top priority in the state of Georgia," Superintendent Cox said. "I am proud of the progress we are making, but there is certainly a lot of work left to be done."

Graduation Rate must be used as a "second indicator" for all high schools and the bar was raised this year.

In order to make AYP a high school had to have a graduation rate of 75 percent or higher, up from 70 percent last year. If a school did not make that goal, they could use a "second look" which means:

- Having a graduation rate that averaged 75 percent or higher over the past three years OR
- Having a graduation rate of at least 55 percent the previous year (2008) and showing a 10 percent improvement in the rate this year.

MORE INFORMATION

- AYP Website (spreadsheets with school-level and system-level information): http://www.gadoe.org/ayp2009.aspx
- Guide to using the AYP report website: http://tinyurl.com/2009AYPGuide
- AYP "By the Numbers": http://tinyurl.com/2009AYPNumbers

SCHOOL and DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS

SCHOOLS THAT CAME OUT OF "NEEDS IMPROVEMENT" STATUS

School Name, School District

Kennedy Middle School , Atlanta Public Schools
Long Middle School, Atlanta Public Schools
South Atlanta School of Health and Medical Science, Atlanta Public Schools
Grady High School, Atlanta Public Schools
Oak Hill Middle School, Baldwin County
Rutland Middle School, Bibb County
Bryan County Middle School, Bryan County
Langston Chapel Middle School, Bulloch County
Henderson Middle School, Butts County
Calhoun Middle School, Calhoun City
Temple Middle School, Carroll County
Spencer Elementary School, Chatham County
Forest Park Middle School, Clayton County
M. D. Roberts Middle School, Clayton County
Floyd Middle School, Cobb County
Commerce Middle School, Commerce City
Crawford County Middle School, Crawford County
Dalton Middle School, Dalton City
Cedar Grove Middle School, DeKalb County
Stephenson Middle School, DeKalb County
Montgomery Elementary School, DeKalb County
Merry Acres Middle School, Dougherty County
Dublin Middle School, Dublin City
Franklin County Middle School, Franklin County
Sandtown Middle School, Fulton County
Ridgeview Charter School, Fulton County
Oakland Meadow School, Gwinnett County
Sweetwater Middle School, Gwinnett County
Louise Radloff Middle School, Gwinnett County
South Habersham Middle School, Habersham County
East Hall Middle School, Hall County
North Hall Middle School, Hall County
White Sulphur Elementary School, Hall County
East Hall High School, Hall County
Hancock Central High School, Hancock County
Stockbridge Middle School, Henry County
Jeff Davis Middle School, Jeff Davis County
Lanier County Middle School, Lanier County
West Laurens Middle School, Laurens County
Midway Middle School, Liberty County
Madison County Middle School, Madison County
McIntosh County Academy, McIntosh County
Mitchell County Middle School, Mitchell County
Walker-Inman Elementary School, Mitchell County
Richards Middle School, Muscogee County
Fort Middle School, Muscogee County
Porterdale Elementary School, Newton County
East Paulding Middle School, Paulding County
Irma C. Austin Middle School, Paulding County
Pelham City Middle School, Pelham City
Hephzibah Middle School, Richmond County
Tutt Middle School, Richmond County
Carver Road Middle School, Spalding County
Taylor Street Middle School, Spalding County
Georgia Academy for the Blind, State Schools
MacIntyre Park Middle School, Thomasville City
Valdosta Middle School, Valdosta City
Wayne County High School, Wayne County

DISTRICTS WHERE ALL SCHOOLS MADE AYP

Banks County
Bleckley County
Buford City
Butts County
Calhoun City
Camden County
Chickamauga City
Clay County
Commerce City
Dalton City
Dawson County
Early County
Echols County
Fayette County
Floyd county
Forsyth County
Gilmer County
Harris County
Heard County
Houston County
Jeff Davis County
Jefferson City
Lee County
Long County
Lumpkin County
Marion County
McIntosh County
Monroe County
Montgomery County
Oconee County
Pickens County
Pierce County
Pike County
Rabun County
Rockdale County
Rome City
Schley County
Social Circle City
Stephens County
Taliaferro County
Telfair County
Towns County
Trion City
Union County
White County
Wilkes County

SCHOOLS THAT HAVE MADE AYP FOR 11 CONSECUTIVE YEARS

School, School District

D. H. Stanton Elementary School, Atlanta Public Schools
Fain Elementary School, Atlanta Public Schools
Bacon County Primary School, Bacon County
Berrien Primary School, Berrien County
Bleckley County Primary School, Bleckley County
Waynesboro Primary School, Burke County
Bethune Elementary School, Charlton County
Blackshear Trail Elementary School, Crisp County
J. S. Pate Elementary School, Crisp County
Roan Elementary School, Dalton City
Hightower Elementary School, DeKalb County
Saxon Heights Elementary School, Dublin City
Susie Dasher Elementary School, Dublin City
Swainsboro Primary School, Emanuel County
North Fayette Elementary School, Fayette County
Robert J. Burch Elementary School, Fayette County
Randolph Elementary School, Fulton County
Enota Multiple Intelligences Academy, Gainesville City
Jasper County Primary School, Jasper County
Maxwell Elementary School, McDuffie County
Thomson Elementary School, McDuffie County
Mitchell County Primary School, Mitchell County
Samuel E. Hubbard Elementary School, Monroe County
T.G. Scott Elementary School, Monroe County
Oconee County Primary School, Oconee County
Cooper Primary School, Terrell County
Crawford Primary School, Washington County
Elder Primary School, Washington County
Jack P Nix Primary, White County
Washington-Wilkes Primary School, Wilkes County
Worth County Primary School, Worth County

SCHOOLS THAT HAVE MADE AYP FOR 10 CONSECUTIVE YEARS

School, School District
Appling County Primary School, Appling County
Banks County Primary School, Banks County
Ben Hill County Primary School, Ben Hill County
Lanier Primary School, Bryan County
Mill Creek Elementary School, Bulloch County
Cook Elementary School, Cook County
Cook Primary School, Cook County
Idlewood Elementary School, DeKalb County
Oakcliff Elementary School, DeKalb County
Lamar Reese School of the Arts, Dougherty County
Lindsey Elementary School, Houston County
Perry Primary School, Houston County
Louisville Academy, Jefferson County
Morgan County Primary School, Morgan County
Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy, Muscogee County
Pelham Elementary School, Pelham City
Sumter County Primary School, Sumter County
Collins Elementary School, Tattnall County
Unity Elementary School, Troup County
Bacon Elementary School, Wayne County
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Clayton State School of Graduate Studies Holding Open House on July 14

The Clayton State University School of Graduate Studies will be holding its next monthly informational Open House on Tuesday, July 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Spivey Board Room (room 201) of the University’s Harry S. Downs Center on the main campus in Morrow.

The Open House will give prospective graduate students a chance to learn more about the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, Master of Arts in Teaching English, Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics, Master of Business Administration, Master of Health Administration, and Master of Science in Nursing. The Clayton State School of Graduate Studies regularly holds open houses on the second Tuesday evening of each month.

The mission of graduate education at Clayton State is to stimulate, encourage and support efforts that build national distinction and that are characterized by innovation and by increasing contribution to the social, cultural, economic, health and technological development needs of Georgia and the nation. The University is committed to excellence, innovation and collaboration in research and in the preparation of professionals for the highest levels of practice.

Graduate education prepares: scholars in the arts, humanities, and the sciences who maintain and advance our understanding of the human condition; scientists, engineers, and other professionals needed by industry, government, and universities to conduct the nation's research and development; and scholars in all disciplines who become the faculties of our colleges and universities.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.
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Two Charter Schools Authorized by New State Charter Commission

Charter Conservatory for Liberal Arts and Technology and Ivy Preparatory Academy
had originally been denied by their local districts

Two charter schools that originally were denied a charter by their local school districts were authorized by the Georgia Charter Schools Commission Thursday, making them immediately eligible to be funded at the same level as the traditional public schools in their respective districts.

Charter Conservatory for Liberal Arts and Technology (CCAT), a middle and high school in Statesboro (Bulloch County), was granted a two-year charter by the Commission. Ivy Preparatory Academy, a middle school for girls in Norcross (Gwinnett County), was granted a five-year charter. Scholars Academy Charter School, an elementary school in Riverdale (Clayton County), was denied a charter by the Commission.

CCAT and Ivy Prep to be funded at the same level as traditional public schoolsAll three schools have been operating as State Chartered Special Schools, meaning they were originally denied a charter by their local districts but were approved by the State Board of Education. State Chartered Special Schools are not funded at the same level as traditional public schools and charter schools approved by a local district. Scholars Academy will continue to operate as a State Chartered Special School with the option of again seeking Commission approval after one year.

Historic day in Georgia public educationThursday’s vote was the first official action taken by the seven-member Georgia Charter Schools Commission, an alternative authorizing group created by the passage of House Bill 881 during the 2008 Legislative Session. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Jan Jones (R-Milton), the Georgia House Majority Whip. The seven members of the Commission were appointed by the State Board of Education on the recommendation of the Governor (3), Lieutenant Governor (2) and House Speaker (2).

“The Georgia Charter Schools Commission approved its first two schools in its meeting today, an historic event in the state of Georgia,” said Georgia Charter Schools Association Chief Executive Officer Tony Roberts. “We have always said that approval of a charter school by the Commission would be hard – perhaps even more demanding than approval by local school districts. By its actions today, the Commission demonstrated that it has a high standard for approval based on student achievement and our Association supports their commitment to high student achievement."

Added Andrew Broy, Associate Superintendent for Policy, External Affairs and Charter Schools: “The Commission today demonstrated a level of review and deliberation that is consistent with the highest quality authorizing standards. As the Georgia charter school sector continues to grow, we need to ensure that all authorization decisions continue to be made after a thorough and searching review."

MORE INFORMATION

CCAT was chartered by the State Board of Education in 2002. It serves 125 students, grades six through 12, who learn in multi-grade, student-centered classrooms. The school utilizes an innovative curriculum that stresses constructivist and multiple intelligence theory.

Ivy Prep was chartered by the State Board of Education in 2008 as the state’s only all-girls charter middle school. The 150 rising seventh graders will be joined in the fall by a new class of 120 sixth graders. An eighth grade class will be added in the fall of 2010.Scholars Academy was chartered by the State Board of Education in 2008. The school stresses hands-on learning experiences for its nearly 100 students in grades one through five.
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Board of Regents Approves Clayton State’s Archival Studies Masters Program

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) has approved another landmark in the development of Clayton State University… a program literally 10 years in development.

The USG board gave its approval on Wednesday, June 10, to the establishment of a Master’s in Archival Studies for Clayton State, extending the University’s long-standing relationship with both the Georgia Archives and the National Archives and Records Administration’s (NARA) Southeast Region, a relationship that extends across not only a decade, but two presidents and two interim presidents at Clayton State.

The archival studies program, which will begin in August 2009, is the university's seventh graduate-level program and the only program of its kind in the State of Georgia… a fitting circumstance, since the Georgia and NARA facilities, which will so greatly benefit Clayton State’s future master’s students, are also unique – the only co-located state and federal archives facilities in the United States. Both the Georgia and NARA archives already employ Clayton State undergraduate students to help with research and archiving of materials.The 45-semester-hour program will focus on archival studies theory and methodology, as well as practice in the administrative, legal, economic, historical, managerial and information studies areas, and will be housed in the University’s College of Information and Mathematical Sciences. Administration of the program will be by Clayton State’s School of Graduate Studies. Course topics will include traditional and digital preservation, introduction to electronic records, archives and technology, and materials arrangement and description of archival documents. It is projected that 20 to 25 students per year will enroll in the program.

Clayton State’s first contact with NARA dates back to the administration of the University’s second president, Dr. Richard A. Skinner, who, in effect, invited John Carlin, archivist of the United States, to relocate the Southeast Regional Archives from its outdated East Point facility to the intersection of Jonesboro Road and Clayton State Boulevard, a quarter mile west of the Clayton State main campus in Morrow. After Skinner left to direct the USG’s Georgia GLOBE initiative in 1999, Interim President Michael Vollmer kept the momentum going as then-Georgia Secretary of State Cathy Cox pondered the idea of a new home for the Georgia Archives. Both archives eventually built their new facilities on adjoining land during the administration of Clayton State’s third president, Dr. Thomas K. Harden. Finally, approval for the new graduate program came less than a month after Dr. Thomas J. Hynes took office as Clayton State interim president, following Harden’s appointment as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Green Bay.

Another key player in the development of the archival studies program is Clayton State Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs Dr. Sharon Hoffman, who wrote, applied for, and received, almost $600,000 in two federal grants from the U.S. Department of Education to start the program. A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.
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Three Charter Schools Allowed to Seek State Charter Commission Authorization

Charter Conservatory for Liberal Arts and Technology, Ivy Preparatory Academy and
Scholars Academy Charter School originally had been denied by their local districts

Three charter schools that originally were denied a charter by their local school districts were authorized by the State Board of Education to seek approval from the new Georgia Charter Schools Commission, during the Board’s monthly meeting Thursday.

The schools are Charter Conservatory for Liberal Arts and Technology (CCAT), a middle and high school in Statesboro (Bulloch County), Ivy Preparatory Academy, a middle school for girls in Norcross (Gwinnett County), and Scholars Academy Charter School, an elementary school in Riverdale (Clayton County). All three have been operating as State Chartered Special Schools, meaning they were denied a charter by their local districts but were approved by the State Board of Education. State Chartered Special Schools are not funded at the same level as traditional public schools and charter schools approved by a local district.

However, Thursday’s action by the State Board gives the schools permission to seek approval of their charters by the seven-member Georgia Charter Schools Commission, an alternative authorizing group created by the passage of House Bill 881 during the 2008 Legislative Session. Charter schools authorized by the Commission – whose members were appointed by the Governor (3), Lieutenant Governor (2) and House Speaker (2) – are eligible for full funding.

This would allow these schools to have fair and equitable funding in order to enhance programs and services for students, according to Georgia Charter Schools Association Chief Executive Officer Tony Roberts.

The Commission is expected to vote on the three schools at its monthly meeting on June 18.
“The students served by these schools desperately need this increase in funding, and as public schools it is funding they rightfully deserve,” said Roberts. “The students at these schools are Georgia public school kids. Their parents are Georgia tax payers. They deserve access to a quality public education funded at levels equal to other public schools.

“We appreciate the decision of the State Board of Education to originally grant charters for these schools, and its decision to allow them to seek authorization from the Commission,” Roberts said. “We are confident that the Commission will be fair and objective about its decisions.”
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Ashworth College Adds Graduate Certificates to Master’s Program

Ashworth College announced today that it will be expanding its Master’s program, to include Graduate Certificate programs. The six new certificate programs join the existing Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degree programs.

Comprised of one semester’s worth of graduate level courses within a specific area of concentration, Ashworth’s Graduate Certificates will cover the following areas of specialty - Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Health Care Management, Human Resources Management, Management, and Marketing.

“Ashworth’s graduate-level certificate programs are a great alternative for bachelor’s degree holders who want to complete graduate level coursework in specific areas without completing an entire degree program, or for those who already have a master’s degree and want to branch out to a different area of expertise,” said F. Milton Miller, Ed.D., Ashworth Vice President of Education. “Students are able to select the courses of their choice to create a customized certificate program.”

“Another advantage to a certificate program is allowing students the opportunity to test the waters by completing a certificate program before committing to a full blown graduate degree program,” Miller added. “If a full degree makes sense in the future, students can transfer the credits to the corresponding Ashworth Master’s degree program.”

When developing Graduate Certificates, Ashworth College considered the perceived rigidity of a traditional Masters program, as well as cost and time commitments associated with a master’s degree. Ashworth limited the program to five courses within a specific area of specialization where students could create a customized program that fit their personal career goals.

“Our students are looking to move up in their existing careers,” commented Deepa Chadha, Ashworth Director of Degree Programs. “Depending on their career goals, and especially given the current economic climate, they believe that some level of higher education will give them the competitive advantage they need.”

As a leader in distance education, Ashworth’s programs are built around self-paced study. Compared to brick and mortar institutions, students do not attend classes (on site, conference call, online, etc.) and are not required to participate in group projects.

Ashworth College

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"Celebration of Excellence" Honors Foster Youth Scholars

Graduating from high school and enrolling in college are milestones that most foster care youth don’t reach. Studies show that youth living in foster care are less likely to finish high school and more likely to end up homeless or in jail. Fewer than 3 percent of them earn college degrees.

Yet more than 300 Georgia foster care youth who beat the odds will be honored during the 17th Annual “Celebration of Excellence.” In addition, nearly 30 Georgia foster care youth will be awarded more than $75,000 in scholarships for their academic achievements.

Foster youth who have overcome obstacles to attain scholastic success will be recognized for their recent graduation from high school, vocational school, GED program or college during “Celebration of Excellence” on Wednesday, June 10. The “Celebration” will take place at the Rialto Theater for the Arts at Georgia State University at 6:30 p.m. This year’s event will feature live performances by Moving in The Spirit Youth Dance Ensemble, The Still Waters Youth Sinfo-Nia Orchestra, Innocence (Nno), Young Hip Hop Artist and others. There will also be a Definition of Excellence Photo Exhibit, which will highlight the social and professional achievements of current and former foster youth, and a video presentation of local and national celebrities congratulating these youth.

“Celebration of Excellence” is a statewide, annual event that honors young people in the foster care system who have made strides in their academic endeavors. This year, more than 300 students from across the state will be lauded for their success. The event is sponsored by the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and numerous community organizations and private businesses.

The “Celebration of Excellence” is the high point of a three-day Atlanta visit for youth transitioning out of the foster care system. These youth will also attend the Higher Education Institute, a two-day information and resource forum designed to teach the importance of professional etiquette, money management and understanding legal rights.

The “Celebration of Excellence” is organized by a coalition of public and private community partners across Georgia. The event is free, open to the public and is attended by professional athletes, celebrities, foster parents, child welfare workers, business leaders, child and legal advocates, and legislators throughout the state. For more information, please visit www.celebrationofexcellence.org.
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ARCHE Report Quantifies the Return on Investing in Education in Georgia

Number of school years has direct correlation to wide range of factors

The amount of education Georgians attain plays a major role in quality of life, job success and many other measures of prosperity for individuals and society, according to a report released last week by the Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education.

“Higher Return: How Investing in Education Pays off For Georgia” – online at www.atlantahighered.org/ReturnOnInvestment – shows that education is a smart investment for Georgians and their state. It documents how education at all levels pays off for individuals in measures ranging from higher salaries to home ownership to children who tend to do better in school. Benefits to the state include a more talented workforce, higher tax revenues, lower spending for prisons and public assistance, and healthier citizens. Some findings:

· Georgia college graduates average twice the income – and half the unemployment – of high school graduates.
· One-fourth of adult Georgians who did not finish high school live in poverty.
· In Georgia homes where no one finished high school, over half of children under 17 live in poverty.
· On average, because of higher income, a Georgian with a bachelor’s degree pays 72 percent more in state and local taxes than a person with a high school degree.
· Eighty-six percent of prisoners in Georgia did not continue education past high school. Their incarceration costs Georgia nearly $800 million annually.
· The strong correlation between education and income is evident among Georgia counties, with only 11 of 159 counties exceeding the U.S. level for educational attainment.

The report, sponsored in part by the Georgia Power Foundation and the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, analyzes data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey and other federal and state government data sources. Data was compiled and analyzed for ARCHE by Human Capital Research Corporation.

“The numbers are dramatic – when we invest in education, as individuals and as a society, there are clear and measurable returns,” said ARCHE President Michael A. Gerber. “And if we fail to invest, we pay the costs.”

Better Jobs, Less Poverty

The report compares Georgia salaries for high school graduates to college grads in jobs ranging from auto mechanics to sales reps. One example: A retail salesperson with a bachelor’s degree makes on average more than twice as much ($53,121) than a salesperson with a high school diploma ($26,293).

The report also shows that the odds of living in poverty plummet as education levels rise. About one-fourth of adult Georgians who didn’t finish high school live in poverty. That percentage drops rapidly as education levels.

More Taxes Collected, Less Spent

The state is perhaps the biggest beneficiary of higher education levels. If just 1 percent of Georgia’s workers with high school diplomas moved to the bachelor’s degree category, Georgia would gain an additional $32 million more per year in state and local taxes ($1.2 billion over a 40-year working-life period).

On the other hand, people with lower levels of education receive the majority of spending for public assistance and prisons. In addition, about 64 cents of every dollar Georgia spends on public assistance goes to citizens with a high school diploma or less.

Key Determinant of Well Being

Chart after chart in the report shows education as key to a better quality of life:
· Homeownership, the American dream, has a strong correlation to education level.
· States that rank low in education levels rank higher in households that have difficulty providing enough food for all members.
· Georgia students who have college-educated parents score higher on the SAT.
· Georgians 65 and older with more education are less likely to report difficulty performing a wide range of activities.

The Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education brings together 19 Atlanta-area public and private colleges and universities. Founded in 1938, ARCHE builds awareness of the size, scope, impact and value of higher education and helps its members share strengths through cooperative programs. Visit www.atlantahighered.org for information about ARCHE, its members, and its reports.
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GCSA Announces Scholarship Awards for Rising Seniors at Five Charter High Schools

One student in each school will receive $500 for application, admissions expenses, or tuition, books, or room and board

The Georgia Charter Schools Association announces the establishment of a new scholarship opportunity for a deserving member of the Class of 2010 in each one of the state's independent charter high schools. The GCSA Scholars Award are five, $500 scholarship grants – for a total of $2,500 – for one rising senior each at Baconton Community Charter School in Baconton, Charter Conservatory for Liberal Arts & Technology in Statesboro, Destiny Academy of Excellence in Ellenwood, Technology Enriched Accelerated Charter High (TEACH) in Alpharetta and Tech High School in Atlanta.

The grants are for the purpose of offsetting some of the expenses that occur during the college application and admissions process (application fees, SAT/ACT prep course fees, campus visit expenses, etc.), or can be put toward tuition, textbooks or room and board.

“We know that in many instances, the chances most traditional public school students have to receive various types of grant opportunities are not always widely available to students in independent charter high schools, even though they are just as deserving,” said GCSA Board Chair BJ Van Gundy. “The Association is proud to offer this initiative for our members, and we hope to grow this scholarship fund in order to allow for more awards each year.”

Administrators at each school will select a winner based on scholastic promise and financial need. The award winners will be announced later this summer.
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Dr. Thomas Hynes Officially Joins Clayton State as Interim President

Dr. Thomas J. (Tim) Hynes Jr., officially began his tenure as the interim president of Clayton State University today.

“Colleagues: I am honored to have this chance to join the Clayton State University community,” says Hynes of his appointment.

Hynes held his position as provost and vice president for academic affairs and professor of Mass Communications at the University of West Georgia (UWG) for all but two years since 1996. On two occasions, during the 1999/2000 and 2006/2007 academic years, Hynes served as acting president of UWG when President Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna was called to the University System Office to serve as acting senior vice chancellor for academic affairs.

University System of Georgia Chief Academic Officer Dr. Susan Herbst commented upon announcing Hynes’ appointment this past January, “We are extremely fortunate to be able to call on Dr. Hynes’ strong leadership skills during this transition. Clayton State University has a great deal of momentum going for it, and I am confident that the institution will be in excellent hands under Dr. Hynes.”

Hynes previously served as interim dean of the University of Louisville from 1990 to 1996. Before that, he was associate dean of the university from 1988 to 1990 and had been a member of the University of Louisville faculty since 1978. Prior to that, he taught at Baylor University, the University of Massachusetts (UM) and the University of North Carolina (UNC). During his tenure at UWG, he has taught at least one course each year at the undergraduate level.

Hynes was a member of the Board of Regents Advisory Committee that developed the 1998 Regents’ Principles for the Preparation of Teachers. Still in use today, these principles guarantee the quality of all teachers prepared by the University System of Georgia.

Hynes holds an undergraduate degree in Mathematics and a Ph.D. in Communications Studies from UM and a Master of Arts degree in speech from UNC. In 2005, he earned a certificate of participation in the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Institute for Educational Management, and in 2003, he participated in the American Institute for Managing Diversity’s Diversity Leadership Academy.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding, comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.
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I-Scream, You-Scream, We All Scream For College Savings!

Path2College Partners with Sonic® and Bright from the Start to Reward Pre-K Students with
a FREE Vanilla Twist

Spring is in the air. From kindergartners to high school seniors, Georgia’s youth are busting out of their desks ready to enjoy the warm sunny days of summer vacation. But before that final bell rings, the Path2College 529 Plan has partnered up with Sonic®, America’s Drive-In®, to kick-off summer by rewarding rising kindergarten students with a FREE vanilla cone at participating Sonic locations. Starting May 1 through June 30, 2009, parents can go to www.Path2College529.com to print a coupon for their eligible children.

The Path2College 529 Plan, Georgia’s tax-advantaged higher education savings plan, is an opportunity for parents, grandparents, family and friends to prepare financially for their loved one’s college education expenses. “With the cost of education skyrocketing, it is essential that parents start saving early,” notes Chuck Penuel, Director of Path2College. “We have teamed up with Sonic to reach parents of young children throughout Georgia and make them aware of the Path2College 529 Plan as an important tool in their college savings strategy.”

“Sonic® is proud to partner with Path2College to focus attention on the importance of saving for higher education,” notes Dominic Losacco, vice president of customer engagement for Sonic. “Partnering with organizations that benefit families and further education is Sonic’s way of saying thank you to our loyal customers and employees in the communities we serve.” With more than 3,500 locations nationwide, Sonic’s smiling Carhops serve up a delicious menu of meal and drink options, made-to-order.

“We share Path2College’s commitment to the education of Georgia’s children,” said Dr. Holly Robinson, Commissioner of Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. “Together, we can all work to help ensure bright futures for our youngest citizens.”

Bright from the Start is pleased to team up with Path2College and Sonic to extend the free vanilla cone offer to families throughout the state.

To download a FREE buy-one-get-one-free Vanilla cone coupon and to learn why more than 100,000 Georgian’s have already started investing with Path2College, visit: www.Path2College529.com.

Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing in the Path2College 529 Plan.

Please visit www.path2college529.com for a Disclosure Booklet containing this and other information. Read it carefully.

Before investing in a 529 plan, you should consider whether the state you or your Beneficiary reside in or have taxable income in has a 529 plan that offers favorable state income tax or other benefits that are only available if you invest in that state’s 529 plan.

We are required to notify you that the tax information contained herein is not intended to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties. It was written to support the promotion of the Path2College 529 Plan. Taxpayers should seek advice based on their own particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

Account value for the Investment Options is not guaranteed and will fluctuate based upon a number of factors, including general market conditions.

© 2009 TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc., program manager. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, member FINRA, distributes the Path2College 529 Plan.
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Graduation Test Results Continue to Improve

Student achievement increases in all subject areas

Georgia's high school students continue to show steady progress on the Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT), including the science and English exams that are aligned to the state's more rigorous curriculum. State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox released the statewide results at today's State Board of Education meeting.

The percentage of students meeting standards on the GHSGT rose from the previous year in all four subject areas; mathematics, science, English language arts, and social studies. The pass rate on the science exam rose two points to 88 percent and on the English language arts exam rose one point to 90 percent.

"The results of the 2009 GHSGT show that our students continue to make steady progress in all areas of the curriculum," Superintendent Cox said. "This is especially noteworthy in the areas of science and English language arts, which are fully aligned to our new curriculum, the Georgia Performance Standards."

Superintendent Cox pointed out that the percentage of students performing at the very highest level on the English language arts and science exams rose significantly from 2008. On the science GHSGT, 15 percent of the students scored at the "honors" level, an increase of three points from 2008. On the English language arts GHSGT, 14 percent of the students scored at the honors level, an increase of four points from 2008.

"These exams are more rigorous and require students to demonstrate a deeper knowledge of the subject, but student achievement continues to rise in these areas," Superintendent Cox said. "The credit belongs to the teachers, students and school leaders who are working very hard to fully implement the new Georgia Performance Standards."

Superintendent Cox was also pleased that scores increased in most subgroups when compared to 2008. For instance:

- The pass rate for Students with Disabilities rose three points to 55 percent on the science GHSGT and rose four points to 63 percent on the mathematics GHSGT.
- The pass rate for English Language Learners rose six points to 59 percent on the English language arts GHSGT and 11 points to 62 percent on the social studies GHSGT.
- The pass rate for Hispanic students rose on all four tests and the pass rate for African American students rose on the social studies and mathematics exams.
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Education Secretary Duncan Names Governor Perdue to National Assessment Governing Board

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has appointed Governor Sonny Perdue to the National Assessment Governing Board. The board sets policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), sometimes referred to as “The Nation's Report Card.”

The 26-member panel includes a bipartisan group of governors, state legislators, local and state school officials, educators, business representatives and other citizens. While members are chosen by the secretary of education, the board remains independent of the department.

“Governor Perdue will be a great addition to the board,” Secretary Duncan said. “During his two terms as governor, he has maintained and expanded on ambitious initiatives to improve education for children from the cradle to college. We look forward to his contributions to the board.”

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is the only continuing assessment administered to a representative sample of students in each state in various subject areas, including mathematics, reading, science, writing, the arts, civics, economics, geography, and U.S. history.

“NAEP is considered the gold standard in terms of measuring our progress in education across states,” Governor Perdue said. “Georgia’s math and reading NAEP scores have risen to an all-time high and are now at or near national averages in many categories. I appreciate the opportunity and look forward to serving on the National Assessment Governing Board.”

The governing board's responsibilities include:

· Selecting subject areas to be assessed
· Setting appropriate student achievement levels
· Developing assessment objectives and test specifications
· Developing a process for the review of the assessment
· Designing the assessment methodology
· Developing guidelines for reporting NAEP results
· Developing standards and procedures for interstate, regional and national comparisons
· Determining the appropriateness of all assessment items and ensuring the assessment items are free from bias and are secular, neutral, and non-ideological
· Taking actions to improve the form, content, use, and reporting of results of the national assessment

For more information on NAEP, see http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/about/#overview . For details on the board, visit www.nagb.org/ .
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Atlanta Christian College Awards Diplomas to 58 Students

Atlanta Christian College awarded diplomas to 58 students during its commencement exercises on May 9. Nearly half the students graduated with honors.

The commencement speaker was Cam Huxford, a 1978 graduate and College trustee, who is senior pastor of Savannah Christian Church in Savannah, Ga. After graduating from Atlanta Christian College, Huxford did graduate work at Emmanuel School of Religion. He later served as senior pastor of Betaw Christian Church and Rock Hill Christian Church. He was called to serve at Savannah Christian in 1984. Under his leadership, the church has grown from 260 members to more than 5,000.

Huxford currently serves on the Christian Standard Publishing Committee, the North American Christian Convention board of stewards, and the ACC board of trustees. His son, Garrett Huxford, was among Saturday’s graduates.

Huxford began his address by explaining to the graduates that exactly 31 years ago, he was sitting where they were sitting – facing the excitement and nervousness that comes with graduating from college.

“You’ve been stretched and shaped by a challenging environment that has prepared you to begin your adventure,” he said. “This is a Christian college, and you have a unique position. None of us knows what the future holds, but you have an opportunity to life your life in a way that makes a difference forever – for eternity.”

Huxford encouraged the graduates to follow Christ’s example and be intentional, bold and creative in reaching out to those who don’t know Him. “It doesn’t matter what you do for a living, this opportunity is before you,” he said. “You can give people a gift that’s greater than any gift they can get anywhere.”

“Thirty days before my graduation, I didn’t have a clue what I was going to do,” Huxford explained. “But I was certain God had called me into ministry, and I was certain I had been well prepared at Atlanta Christian College.”

Finally, he reminded the graduates, “Times are uncertain; God is not.”

Huxford’s commencement address was followed by the conferring of degrees and a farewell from the Class of 2009, presented by Miles Barnes, of LaGrange, Ga., president of the Student Government Association. Barnes reminded his fellow graudates that ACC had helped them grow up, shaping their lives and their faith in a significant way.

“Faculty, staff, trustees, and parents especially, your contributions to ACC and to us have done so much more than just give us an education,” Barnes said. “You have given us the opportunity to become men and women in Christ. And for that I am proud to say that I am graduating from Atlanta Christian College.”

The 2009 Hathcock Award winners were also announced during the ceremony. This award, named for Judge T. O. Hathcock, ACC’s founder, is the highest honor the College awards to a graduating senior. Seniors are nominated by the administrative cabinet and selected by the faculty. Not more than five percent of the graduating class may receive the award. It is given based on the qualities of scholarship, character and servant leadership. This year’s recipients were Stephanie Duttweiler, of Hampton, Ga., and Jeffrey Morgan, of Newnan, Ga.

This spring also marked the first graduates for one of ACC’s newest majors, child and youth development.

Atlanta Christian College’s mission is to educate students for Christ-centered service and leadership throughout the world. Founded in 1937, the College enrolls more than 600 students. The College’s board of trustees is currently in the process of selecting a new location for the main campus in order to accommodate further growth. Atlanta Christian College is affiliated with the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ.

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Clayton State Spring Commencement Honors Starr, Lee

Stockbridge and Clayton State’s Dolores Cox to Receive Second MALS Graduate Degree

Clayton State University will honor two of the seminal figures in the history of the University and Clayton County at its annual Spring Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 9.

In addition to Clayton State students receiving master’s, bachelors and associates degrees, the University will be awarding honorary doctorates to the late State Senator Terrell Starr and retired State Representative William J. “Bill” Lee. Both of these long-time public servants (Starr 38 years in the Senate, Lee 42 years in the House) were instrumental in the selection and location of a new University System of Georgia junior college in Clayton County in the 1960s. Although Starr passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Apr. 19, 2009, that college, now Clayton State University, will go forward with its plans to honor this long-time public servant. Starr’s honorary doctorate will be awarded posthumously at the noon ceremony to his son, Terry Starr. Also present will be wife Celeste Starr and daughter JoAnn McJenkin. Lee will also be present to also receive his honorary degree.

The University’s dual spring commencement ceremonies will be held in the Athletics & Fitness Center. The first ceremony will be held at 9 a.m., the second starts at noon. Graduates of the College of Arts & Sciences will receive their diplomas at the noon ceremony, while graduates of the University’s other four schools – Business, Nursing, Information & Mathematical Sciences, and Professional Studies -- will take part in the 9 a.m. ceremony.

A total of 628 students will be eligible to graduate, including 32 students receiving master’s degrees. Thirty-one of the master’s recipients will be in the 9 a.m. ceremony as the first cohort from the Master’s of Business Administration program. The lone master’s degree awarded at noon will go to Dolores Cox (Stockbridge), communications coordinator in the Clayton State Office of University Image and Communications, and the second graduate of the University’s Master’s of Arts in Liberal Studies program.

Among the undergraduates receiving degrees at noon will be two more staff members from the Clayton State Division of External Relations, student assistants Ciji Fox (Stockbridge) and Tiffany Whidby (Morrow).

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.
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Three Trustees Named to Atlanta Christian College Board

Atlanta Christian College’s board of trustees announced today that it has three new members: Marvin W. Bussey, David A. Deeter and Stephen E. Olsen.

Bussey, a 1986 graduate of Atlanta Christian College, has established himself over the last 20 years as a community leader in the Atlanta area. He is founder and executive director of the nonprofit organization Teens at Work, which provides after-school and enrichment programs for youth in East Point, Ga., and surrounding areas.

In addition to the bachelor’s degree in Christian ministries he earned at ACC, Bussey holds a master’s degree in professional counseling from Georgia State University. His work with children and teens has been recognized with many awards, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Service Award, from Emory University, and the 2008 Alumnus of the Year Award from Atlanta Christian College. He is a member of Big Bethel A.M.E. Church.

“Marvin Bussey is uniquely qualified to join our board of trustees because of his passion for mentoring young people, his dedication to excellence in his nonprofit leadership, his love for Christ, and his status as a distinguished alumnus of this College,” said Dean Collins, president of Atlanta Christian College.

“The Atlanta Christian College experience prepared me for Christian service,” said Bussey. “I was challenged, and I was encouraged to make an impact in the community. I received not only a diploma, but a compass for direction and a road map to carry out my life’s purpose.”

“I hope the experiences of what I have learned will be an asset and blessing to the College,” Bussey continued.

Deeter, a certified public accountant, is managing partner of Frazier & Deeter, LLC, one of Atlanta’s top ten accounting firms. During his tenure, the firm has experienced an average growth of 25 percent annually. He also advises clients in all aspects of financial business management, and consults with clients in a variety of areas, including mergers and acquisitions, financial planning, estate planning and cash flow analysis. He has extensive experience in real estate, finance companies, construction, manufacturing, service companies and nonprofit entities.

Deeter holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in business administration from Georgia State University. He is a member of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He also serves on the boards of Whitefield Academy and CPAmerica International. He resides in Atlanta, and is a member of The Church of the Apostles.

“David Deeter has not only distinguished himself as a leader in the accounting industry, he also is a strong believer in Christian education,” said Collins. “He has served on the Atlanta Christian College relocation task force for the past year, and has already demonstrated his love and commitment to ACC.”

“I am truly excited to join the board of this distinguished school,” said Deeter. “I am especially energized about the strategic vision to move and grow the school so many more young people can benefit from this Christ-centered higher learning opportunity… right here in Atlanta.”

Olsen is group president, depository institution services for Fiserv, Inc. He oversees Internet banking, electronic bill payments and financial institution account processing for the company. He was previously group president of Internet banking and electronic payments for the company, and had been chief operating officer at CheckFree Corporation, which was acquired by Fiserv in December 2007.

In May 2001, Olsen was named Georgia CIO of the Year in the Global Category by CIO magazine. He was selected as a Premier Top 100 IT Leader for 2007 by Computerworld magazine. Olsen holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Massachusetts. He resides in Roswell, Ga., and is a member of Fellowship Bible Church.

“Steve is one of the finest Christian businessmen I know,” said Collins, and he brings to ACC a strong background in executive leadership, operational efficiency, and a deep understanding of technology. Steve is also a strong believer in Christian education, having children who attended Fellowship Christian School in Roswell.”

“I am pleased and honored to be associated with Atlanta Christian College,” said Olsen, “and I’m excited to be part of the team preparing the next generation of Christian leaders.”

Atlanta Christian College’s mission is to educate students for Christ-centered service and leadership throughout the world. Founded in 1937, the College enrolls more than 600 students. The College’s board of trustees is currently in the process of selecting a new location for the main campus in order to accommodate further growth. Atlanta Christian College is affiliated with the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ.
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Chambliss Praises Georgia Charter Schools during National Charter Schools Week

U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today expressed his support for Georgia’s charter schools and applauded those working to expand the charter schools system. This week, May 3 - May 9, 2009, is National Charter Schools Week.

“Georgia’s excellent charter school system continues to raise the bar for educational standards, and I applaud the Georgia Charter Schools Association for their commitment to education,” said Chambliss. “Charter schools' emphasis on empowerment, innovation, and local control provide quality alternatives for many families, and they give our students a good foundation to succeed. I am once again proud to offer my praise for Georgia’s charter schools during National Charter Schools Week.”

Charter schools in Georgia have grown from 37 four years ago to 113 this school year, with numerous communities looking at chartering as a way to provide parents and students with more choice. In 2008, charter schools outperformed traditional public schools in Georgia with regard to percentage of schools making adequate yearly progress (AYP). Charter high school graduation rates, continuing a trend from previous years, have also been higher than traditional public schools.

Today there are nearly 1.4 million students enrolled in charter schools across the nation.
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Clayton County Public Schools Receive Re-accreditation

Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement today regarding Clayton County Public Schools accreditation:

“Clayton County’s reaccreditation is a huge step in the right direction. SACS’s decision today shows the progress that can be made when a community rallies around its schools and holds their elected officials accountable. I also want to thank State Board of Education members Brad Bryant and Jim Bostic for their work with the Clayton board. Despite the progress, there remains much work to do and I encourage the community to continue to press for improvement. Unfortunately, this progress came only after students were forced to suffer the consequences of adults behaving irresponsibly. For that reason I will continue to advocate for Senate Bill 84, which would allow early intervention in the instance a situation arises like the one we experienced last year in Clayton County.”
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