Upcoming Events at Clayton State University

Clayton State University has re-opened for 2010, although classes for the spring semester (not that it feels much like spring) won’t start until Monday, Jan. 11.

Clayton State Schedules Welcome Back Week for Students, Jan. 11-14

The Clayton State University Department of Campus Life is ready for the new year. Specifically, Campus Life has the schedule for its traditional “Welcome Back Week” for students in place.

Welcome Back Week will start with the first day of spring semester classes, Monday, Jan. 11, when Campus Life and the Clayton State Customer Service Team will hold another Clayton State tradition, the Ask Me! program. Ask Me! volunteers in bright orange T-Shirts will welcome new and returning students back to campus, assist with campus navigation, and distribute information about upcoming events. Ask Me! will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 11 and Jan. 12.

Also on Tuesday, Jan. 12, the Campus Events Council will be making free Las Vegas Name Tags from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Main Street in 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The Las Vegas theme will carry on to Wednesday, Jan. 13 with a fun-filled night in Las Vegas in the Student Activity Center ballroom. It’ll be a night of games, prizes and refreshments from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

On Thursday, Jan. 14, Campus Life will hold its Student Involvement Fair from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Student Activity Center ballroom.

Clayton State Graduate Studies Open House, Jan. 12

The Clayton State University School of Graduate Studies will celebrate the new year on Tuesday, Jan. 12 by holding its first informational open house of 2010.

The open house will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in room 101 of the University’s Harry S. Downs Center on the main campus in Morrow.

The Graduate Studies open houses are now providing information on the new Master of Archival Studies program. In addition, prospective graduate students will have 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 holds open houses on the second Tuesday evening of each month.

LEAD the Way Seminar and Service Learning Project for MLK Day of Service, Jan. 14

The Department of Campus Life will sponsor its first monthly LEAD the Way Seminar for the Spring Semester on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010 at 6 p.m. in the Student Activities Center Ballroom C.

Eddie Yongue with Keep Clayton Beautiful will be the featured speaker to discuss the leadership needed in the community to preserve our natural habitats and vegetation and how these efforts impact community economic development.

Then students will have an opportunity to make the MLK holiday weekend a “Day On, and Not A Day Off” by volunteering with Trees Atlanta to plant trees and upkeep gardens in the city of Atlanta on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010.

Lianna Williams to Sing at Naturalization Ceremony, Jan. 15

The regional Department of Homeland Security Immigration Office was so impressed with Clayton State senior Voice Performance major Lianna Wimberly Williams’ performance at their recent naturalization ceremony at the National Archives at Atlanta that they’ve requested that she perform for their next mass naturalization ceremony, Jan. 15, 2010, at the Martin Luther King Center in Atlanta.

Mezzo-soprano Williams, a Jonesboro resident, is one of the Clayton State music program’s most accomplished singers; performing in the Clayton State Opera and as a soloist in campus events and in concerts with the Clayton State Chorale, singing at the People’s Inaugural Gala Weekend and Ball in Washington, D.C., and being chosen by competitive audition for the fall 2007 Georgia National Association of Teachers of Singing master class.

Bernice King and Alejandro Mayorkas, the national director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service from Washington, DC, will be the speakers at the Jan. 15 ceremony at the MLK Center. Clayton State Staff Accompanist Alexander Benford will accompany Williams on the keyboard.

Clayton State’s 10th Annual Martin Luther King Commemorative Event, Jan. 21

Clayton State University’s 10th Annual Martin Luther King Commemorative Event will run from Monday, Jan. 18, 2010 to Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010 as will be highlighted by a showcase of talent and reflections on this year’s theme; “Dr. King’s Legacy: Where are we now? Where are we going?”

This year’s keystone event will take place on Thursday, Jan. 21 and will feature the Second Annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Rally and March and the Showcase. The March (sponsored by the Tau Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and the Clayton State Department of Campus Life) will take the campus community along a historical journey and will reflect upon pivotal points during the Civil Rights movement. It will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the James M. Baker University Center Quad and will proceed to Spivey Hall where the Showcase will be held starting at 7 p.m.

Clayton State Homecoming, Jan. 30

The 2009/10 academic year is a special one for Clayton State University, as the University is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and the celebration will continue into January with a special Anniversary Homecoming.

Clayton State will have its Homecoming on Saturday, Jan. 30, as the Laker basketball teams will square off against Flagler College in Peach Belt Conference action at the Athletics & Fitness Center. The women’s game will tip-off at 1:30 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 3:30 p.m.

Black History Month, Feb. 1

The annual Black History Celebration at Clayton State University will begin on Monday, Feb. 1, 2010. The Department of Campus Life is currently in the process of organizing the calendar of events for this celebration.

Visiting Writers Reading Series Returns, Feb. 2

On Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m., the spring 2010 Visiting Writers Reading Series will open with novelist Patti Callahan Henry reading in room B10 of the Lecture Hall.

Henry is a New York Times bestselling novelist. She has six novels with Penguin/NAL ("Losing the Moon," "Where the River Runs," "When Light Breaks," "Between the Tides," "The Art of Keeping Secrets," and "Driftwood Summer").

Hailed as a fresh new voice in southern fiction, she has been short-listed for the Townsend Prize for Fiction and has been nominated for the Southeastern Independent Booksellers Fiction Novel of the Year. She is a frequent speaker at luncheons, book clubs and women’s groups where she discusses the importance of storytelling and anything else they want to talk about.

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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Clayton State School of Business to Offer MBA Prep Class Starting October 24

The Clayton State School of Business will offer an MBA Prep Course on four Saturdays starting on Oct. 24.

The cost of the course is just $50, plus the cost of two GMAT books. The classes will meet from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 24, Oct. 31, Nov. 7 and Nov. 14 in room B-11 of the University’s Lecture Hall on the main campus in Morrow.

Applications for the MBA Pep Course are available at www.business.clayton.edu/mba. Registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Dr. Michael Tidwell, director of the Clayton State MBA program, states that the interest in offering such a course, which was previously held in August 2009, has been strong.

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia recently gave its approval to Clayton State’s proposal to establish a cohort of the MBA program at the Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Dr., Conyers, Ga., starting in January 2010. The Clayton State MBA program, which graduated its first degree-holders this past May, is already operating with cohorts based on the main campus in Morrow, and the University’s instructional site, Clayton State – Fayette, in Peachtree City.

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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Clayton State Celebrates 40th Anniversary on Sept. 30

Clayton State University first opened its doors to students on Sept. 30, 1969. Richard Nixon was in the White House. The Braves were in first place. And Dr. Harry S. Downs was in the president’s office of the newest unit of the University System of Georgia USG).

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of that historic occasion, Clayton State faculty, staff and students will gather in the University quad on Wednesday, Sept. 30 for the annual Hot Dog Rally of the Faculty/Staff Fund Drive.

The Hot Dog Rally, featuring hot dogs, chips and drinks for all plus music, Clayton State trivia and door prizes, will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. behind the James M. Baker Center.

The Annual Faculty/Staff Fund Drive, this year entitled “Give a Little, Get a Latte,” began on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, and will run through Oct. 9, 2009.

Clayton State has a tradition of extraordinary support for the work of the University through thoughtful giving. As has been the case over the years, nearly 100 percent of the faculty and staff participate in the annual Faculty/Staff Fund Drive. This outstanding accomplishment sends a powerful message — that the faculty and staff believe in Clayton State and support its mission of student, faculty and staff learning.

Clayton Junior College first welcomed 942 students in 1969. Since Downs opened Clayton State as a junior college, there have been two more presidents, two interim presidents, and three name changes. Four-year status – as Clayton State College – was granted by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia in 1986, and University status – as Clayton College & State University – in 1996. The present name was adopted in May 2005.

When Downs retired in January 1994, Dr. Richard A. Skinner became president. When Skinner left in July 1999 to head up the USG’s Georgia GLOBE initiative, Michael F. Vollmer stepped in as interim president for a year, after which Dr. Thomas K. Harden served as the University’s third president from July 2000 to June 2009. After Harden was appointed chancellor of the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, Dr. Thomas J. “Tim” Hynes, Jr., was named interim president, starting in May 2009. Hynes will preside at Wednesday’s event.

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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2009 National Blue Ribbon Schools Named

Seven Georgia public schools were named 2009 National Blue Ribbon Schools today.

"These seven schools are outstanding examples of how high expectations and hard work can lead to outstanding student achievement," said State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox. "These schools show that, regardless of a school's size, geography or demographics, all students can achieve at high levels."

The No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools award distinguishes and honors schools for helping students achieve at very high levels and for making significant progress in closing the achievement gap.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the National Blue Ribbon School award winners this morning. (See U.S. Department of Education Release -
http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/09/09152009.html)

Blue Ribbon Schools are chosen in one of three categories (See the full criteria descriptions - http://tinyurl.com/NationalBlueRibbonCriteria)

- TOP 10%: Schools that scored in the top 10 percent in student achievement.

- TOP 10%: (40% Disadvantaged): Schools that scored in the top 10 percent in student achievement AND have at least 40 percent of its students considered economically disadvantaged.

- GREATEST GAINS: Schools with at least 40 percent economically disadvantaged students that have dramatically improved student achievement to high levels.

Five Georgia private schools also were named National Blue Ribbon schools. The selection process for private schools is different. For more information, go to http://www.capenet.org/brs.html.

Georgia's winning schools will join other national winners at an awards ceremony on November 3 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.

For more information on the Blue Ribbon Schools program, go to the Blue Ribbon Schools website at http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/awards.html.

2009 GEORGIA BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS

Public
- Alice Coachman Elementary School, Dougherty County
- Carter Godwin Woodson Elementary School, Atlanta Public Schools
- DeKalb School of the Arts, DeKalb County
- Hightower Trail Middle School, Cobb County
- Honey Creek Elementary School, Rockdale County
- Trion High School, Trion City Schools
- Tunnel Hill Elementary School, Whitfield County

Private
- Holy Redeemer Catholic School, Johns Creek
- Holy Spirit Preparatory School, Atlanta
- Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School, Atlanta
- Our Lady of Victory Catholic School, Tyrone
- St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, Brunswick
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Clayton State University School of Nursing Expands Simulation Lab

The School of Nursing (SoN) at Clayton State University is expanding the student learning experience by adding a new lab space in Clayton Hall and expanding the simulation lab in the Harry S. Downs Center.

“Because of the nursing shortage, we have increased our enrollment over the last few years so we can graduate more nurses to increase the nursing workforce. We have outgrown our present lab so we are excited about the new additional space which will allow us to expand student learning experiences,” says Katrina Barnes, R.N., M.S., clinical assistant professor of Nursing and lab coordinator.

The simulation lab is welcoming a new state of the art manikin funded through a grant and student lab fees. The SoN has been able to create another “hospital room” in the lab which will accommodate a labor and delivery unit. New video equipment has been installed allowing students to perform simulations in all three rooms at the same time with different classes.

Clayton Hall will now house the health assessment portion of the lab. That lab will include exam tables and equipment used for the physical assessment of all body systems.

“We can now have health assessment labs any time on Tuesday and Wednesday, which we couldn’t do before because it was needed for the other clinical classes. Moving the Health Assessment portion of the lab will allow students increased practice times on Monday and Thursday in the CE lab area so they can review skills they have learned in their regular clinical courses,” says Barnes.

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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Graduate Studies Open House Rescheduled to September 15

The Clayton State University School of Graduate Studies has re-scheduled its next monthly informational Open House. Originally planned for Tuesday, Sept. 8, the Open House will now be held on Tuesday, Sept. 15. The time and location remain the same -- from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in room 101 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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Charter Schools Not "Struggling" Financially

Contrary to recent media report, study does not say state’s Start-Up charters are “struggling”

A study released last week by the Fiscal Research Center at Georgia State University found that the financial health of the state’s charter schools are mixed, which is counter to headlines that appeared in media reports about the study.

The study examined the financial stability of the 25 Independent Start-Up charter schools in Georgia during the 2006-2007 school year, the most recent time frame where complete financial data was available. Independent Start-Up charter schools are those that operate with full autonomy from a local school district. Media report not correct Though the headline of a media report framed the study as suggesting that charter schools are “struggling” financially, this is not the case.

The study stated that the “financial health of Georgia’s start-up charter schools in the 2006-07 school year [was] mixed,” and added that most had a “positive” financial position.The report also stated incorrectly that a total of eight charter schools in Georgia had shut down for financial reasons up through the 2006-2007 school year. What the Georgia State University Study actually reported was that of eight charter schools which closed in Georgia, just four had closed mainly for financial reasons.

Also, it is significant that not one school studied during that period has closed for financial reasons in the two years since the study (2007-2008 and 2008-2009).

Independent Start-Up charters underfundedFor those Independent Start-Up charter schools that are having some difficulties, this is due in large part to the fact that charter schools are underfunded by school districts on the front end, receiving less funding than the traditional public schools in their districts – a point which was raised in the study.

Additionally, charter schools must pay for acquiring and maintaining facilities out of their per-student funding as there are little to no funds available for facility costs. Also, charter schools that provide transportation do so at tremendous expense with little to no reimbursement for this service which is routinely provided by school districts for non-charter schools.

“Unfortunately, school districts see the charter schools as independent entities that they have ‘authorized,’ and do not support those schools at the same level as their ‘own’ traditional schools,” said Dr. Tony Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of the Georgia Charter Schools Association (GCSA). “In short, school districts should support their charter schools with the full range of administrative and support services, at district expense, and charter schools need and deserve the same per-pupil funding for instruction and facilities allotted to traditional public schools.”

Start-Up charters thriving academicallyIn spite of the funding inequity, the charter school movement is flourishing in Georgia. There are currently 115 charter schools throughout the state, up from 35 just five years ago. The state’s 34 Independent Start-Up charter schools are more than holding their own in terms of student achievement. A GCSA analysis of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) data from the 2008-2009 school year found that 82 percent of Independent Start-Up charter schools and 81 percent of all Start-Up charter schools (which includes those fully supported by a school district) made AYP, compared to the state average of 79 percent for all schools.

“The Georgia Legislature, Department of Education and Board of Education should be commended for their support of quality Start-Up charter schools,” Dr. Roberts said. “Unlike traditional public schools, charter schools are held to the ultimate standard of accountability: live up to the terms of your charter and provide your students with a quality education, or close. Indeed, this is how it should be.”

Keys to financial stability for Independent Start-Up chartersIn order to help Start-Up charters continue to thrive and provide quality educational options for students, parents and communities across the state, several initiatives should be enacted:

· There should be some form of standardization mandated at the state level for financial reporting of charter schools. Without standardization and consistency, collection of the data and oversight is – and will continue to be – problematic.

· School systems authorizing charter schools need training on appropriate oversight of the schools. The school systems should support the charter schools by providing specific feedback related to financial reporting expectations, formats, etc., and need to be held accountable for appropriate oversight.

· Charter school boards and leaders need specific training on non-profit management. The Georgia Charter Schools Association offers this training on an on-going basis as a service.

“The large majority of public charter schools in Georgia are great stewards of the public funds entrusted to them,” Dr. Roberts said. “They stretch those dollars to achieve higher student achievement rates, higher graduation rates, and a higher percentage of schools making AYP. For this, the charter school community in Georgia should be commended and rewarded with higher funding levels.”
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Clayton State School of Graduate Studies Holding Open House on September 8

The Clayton State University School of Graduate Studies will be holding its next monthly informational Open House on Tuesday, Sept. 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in room 101 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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Ashworth Partners with CareerBuilder to give 2009 Graduates Practical Advice on Using the Internet to Find their Next Job

Ashworth College today announced that as part of the 2009 Graduation activities, Ashworth College and Careerbuilder.com® will host a career workshop for graduates and guests.

For the second consecutive year, Ashworth has tapped the resources of CareerBuilder to provide a value-add for its graduates in the form of a career workshop. The workshop will take place prior to the ceremony on August 15, 2009 at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth, GA.

Open only to graduates and guests, the session will include tips on interviewing, resume writing, and how to best utilize the Internet as part of a job search. A leader in distance education, Ashworth will host recent graduates from each of its high school, career school and college diploma and degree programs.

"The Internet has dramatically changed the way people find jobs," said Bill Mahoney, CareerBuilder Account Management Director. "In today’s highly competitive job market, you need to use all the online resources available to you to maximize your visibility. The most successful online job hunters are those who customize their resumes for every position and repackage their skills to appeal to the widest range of potential employers."

"Revisiting your social networking profile to promote your skills and accomplishments and convey a professional image is also important," Mahoney explained, indicating that many hiring managers today research profiles on social sites like Facebook and MySpace. Candidates who forget to clean up "digital dirt" can end up losing out on an opportunity.
The ceremony will follow the workshop.

"The Internet has changed the way many people find jobs, but not everyone knows how to use it to their advantage," commented Dr. F. Milton Miller, Ed.D, Ashworth Vice President, Education. "Now that our students have completed their education we want to help them succeed by giving them as many tools as we can. We are fortunate to partner with an expert like CareerBuilder.com®."

Workshop topics will include:
Interview skills
Salary negotiation
What makes an effective resume
Job outlook for recent graduates
Using the Internet as part of your job search
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Clayton State Alumni Association to Hold “Monday Mixer” in Morrow, August 24

Clayton State University’s Alumni Association will host its first “Monday Mixer” at 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24 at Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar in Morrow.

“The Monday Mixer will be a social event, allowing our alumni, our community, and our university friends a chance to reconnect in an informal social manner,” says Gid Rowell, director of Alumni Relations. “Monday Mixers” will be held on a monthly basis at restaurants in the Southern Crescent. The Alumni Association plans to rotate the event monthly between restaurants in Clayton, Fayette and Henry counties.

“The Monday Mixers will be beneficial to both the Alumni Association and the Clayton State University community, allowing alumni and friends to meet and greet in an informal way,” Rowell says. “They will also provide an opportunity to share information about the University and Alumni Association. “We’re hoping to congregate at restaurants with open porches or decks -- weather permitting – the perfect setting for food and friends, with a laid back, enjoy yourself atmosphere that will make Mondays seem a little easier to get through.”The Mixers will be casual, free from admission and without an agenda. No advance registration is necessary.

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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Ashworth College Breaking New Ground as First Online Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter

Ashworth College and Habitat for Humanity proudly announced today that the distance education leader has become the first institution of its kind to establish an online Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter.

A Campus Chapter is a student-led organization on a high school or college campus that partners with a local Habitat affiliate to fulfill four primary functions – building, fundraising, advocating and educating.

The Ashworth Campus Chapter, who will align with Habitat for Humanity’s North Central Georgia affiliate, has become its first-ever distance education campus chapter and will operate primarily through online forum and social community groups. Habitat’s student groups traditionally have been at brick and mortar institutions.

"Because our students interact mostly online, we find that they are more organized and have a higher commitment level to student organizations than their traditional campus-based counterparts," said Ryan Rode, Ashworth Director of Social Media and faculty advisor. "The only real difference is that instead of holding regular meetings in an on-campus classroom, our members will meet in chat rooms."

Rode is optimistic that the Ashworth College Campus Chapter will create new opportunities for Habitat. "The typical college student doesn’t have the resources that our student does," he said. "Ashworth students tend to be working adults with established personal and professional networks -- this will make a big difference when it comes time to participate in any fundraising and advocacy initiatives."

Rode went on to mention that Ashworth offers a wide range of diploma, certificate and degree programs in the skilled trades to include carpentry, construction management, electrician, heating and air conditioning, landscape design, plumbing; as well as interior decorating. "We hope that students in these programs will seize the opportunity to not only give back, but to gain some hands-on experience that will help them professionally," Rode added.

Within the first month, the Ashworth College Chapter recruited more than 25 members, both in the US and abroad. "Partnering with Ashworth College will create an entirely new dynamic for Habitat," said Bill Campbell, Engagement Specialist for Habitat for Humanity International. "Habitat supports affiliates all over the world. There is a good chance that wherever an Ashworth student calls home, there will be an opportunity to participate in project nearby."
Habitat for Humanity is known for building homes for under-privileged families and Ashworth has already made plans to participate in a local build. As part of its upcoming 2009 Graduation weekend activities, the Chapter is co-sponsoring a house in North Atlanta.

"Ashworth does an amazing job at providing the students opportunities to enhance our education as well as our outreach efforts. It really makes us proud of our school," said Anne Cox, president of the Ashworth Campus Chapter. "The build is also an opportunity for Ashworth students, alumni, faculty and staff to meet face-to-face and work side-by-side for a worthwhile cause."

"This demonstrates that online students share many of the same interests as those at campus-based school," Cox, a forensic science student, added. "Attending school online doesn’t mean that you’re missing out."

Ashworth College

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Office Depot Honors Georgia Educators with Teacher Appreciation Breakfast and Benefits

Teachers Provided With A 10% Discount on Qualifying School Supplies, Complimentary Products, 50% Back in Rewards on Select Products* Purchased on Saturday, And A Free Networking Breakfast On August 1 In Celebration Of Back To School

Office Depot® (NYSE: ODP), a leading global provider of office products and services, is hosting a celebration for Atlanta-area teachers as they get ready to head back into the classroom. Taking place this Saturday, the special Teacher Appreciation Breakfast will be held at Office Depot retail stores in the following areas: Atlanta, Athens, Albany, Augusta, Columbus, Glynn, Gordon, Hall, Macon, Thomas, and Whitefield County.

Both new and existing members of the Office Depot Star Teacher Program are invited to enjoy 10% savings all this week on qualifying in-store purchases* and attend Saturday’s event, which will include a breakfast, bonus rewards and a complimentary tote bag and flash drive with discounts and offers to be used throughout the upcoming school year.

Educators attending the Teacher Appreciation Breakfast on Saturday will receive 50% back in Rewards* on products from the following event sponsors: Crayola®, Expo®, Five Star®, Mead, Paper Mate® and Sharpie.

The Office Depot Star Teacher Program provides members with special promotions, discounts and offers to help teachers stretch their classroom budgets in these challenging economic times. Pre-K through 12th grade classroom teachers are eligible to be a member of the Office Depot Star Teacher program. Enrollment in the program is free and can be done at any Office Depot store or online at www.mystarteacher.com. Ask a store associate for details or visit www.mystarteacher.com for more information.

Star Teacher Program benefits include year-round offers, including10% back on ink, toner and paper purchases, an instant 15% off Design, Print, & Ship Depot services, PLUS an additional 1% back on almost everything else.* Membership in the Star Teacher Program is free.
To find your local Office Depot store, please visit www.officedepot.com/stores.
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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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State Board Accepts Audit Findings; 4 GA Elementary School Results Invalid

Summer retest scores from 2008 invalidated at four schools

The State Board of Education today accepted the findings of an external audit that the 2008 summer retest results at four Georgia elementary schools were changed and, therefore, are invalid.

The State Board’s unanimous vote directs the Georgia Department of Education to invalidate the 5th Grade summer retest results on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) for the following schools: Deerwood Academy, Atlanta Public Schools; Atherton Elementary, DeKalb County Schools; Parklane Elementary, Fulton County Schools; Burroughs-Molette Elementary, Glynn County.

The action was taken after an audit by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) found that student answer sheets on the fifth-grade mathematics CRCT were changed after the tests were completed but before the forms were sent in for grading. (For more information on the investigation, go to http://www.gaosa.org/news.aspx?mode=LIST)

State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox said the action of the Board shows how seriously the state takes the integrity of Georgia’s standardized testing process.

“The Board and I want to send a clear message that cheating will not be tolerated and we will take action, if necessary,” Superintendent Cox said. “Ultimately, the ones who are hurt by cheating are the students.”

However, Superintendent Cox emphasized that the overwhelming majority of schools administer state tests honestly and in full compliance with state and federal law.

“The vast majority of educators are highly ethical and deeply concerned with following the rules,” she said. “While any cheating is cause for concern, I am confident it is not a widespread issue and that we have a valid, trustworthy testing program in Georgia.”

By accepting the findings of the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement’s audit, the State Board empowered the GaDOE to take the following actions:

1. Invalidate the 2008 CRCT 5th Grade retest scores at the four schools;
2. Since the four schools involved only made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) due to these retest results, the 2008 AYP determinations for these schools will be changed to “did not meet;”
3. Begin the process of recovering any money these schools received as rewards for academic achievement under the Title I Distinguished Schools program;
4. Require the school systems to notify parents of students whose test scores were altered
5. Request that the middle schools these students now attend implement an individualized support plan for affected students who continue to struggle with mathematics. The GOSA audit found that less than half of the affected students passed the math CRCT this past year in sixth grade.

The Georgia Department of Education has a process for addressing concerns about test security and allegations of cheating and will continue to work closely with the GOSA on the identification and investigation of statistical “outliers.” The GaDOE will also continue to train educators and administrators on the proper way to administer state tests.

Additionally, the Georgia Department of Education will look at ways, within existing budget resources, to broaden its process for flagging schools that show statistically improbable gains.
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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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