Georgia Department of Education E-Newsletter [Oct. 2006]

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To my fellow Georgians,
Recent tragic events around the country have brought the issue of school safety into the public eye this month. At the Georgia Department of Education and in all of our schools, the safety of students is our top priority everyday.
While we cannot predict when an incident may occur, we can prepare.
There are many state and federal laws that ensure that our schools and school systems have an emergency plan in place and have policies and procedures for school visitors. You can view these policies by following the link at the bottom of this message. Our local systems also have policies and procedures in place to make sure our children are safe in their schools.
To view a summary of state school safety efforts, click here. To email Kathy concerns or ideas regarding school safety: kathycox@doe.k12.ga.us. School Safety Hotline: 1-877-SAY-STOP (24 hours/day, 7 days/week)
On September 26th, The Governor's Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) released the 2005-2006 K-12 Public Schools Annual Report Card. The law requires that this report card be released no later than December 1st. You may access the reports at http://reportcard2006.gaosa.org/k12.
The following components are available on the report card or will be available soon:
q Georgia Tests - CRCT grades 1-8, Middle Grades Writing Assessment, End of Course Tests, Georgia High School Writing Tests, Georgia High School Graduation Tests, Georgia Alternate Assessment
q Indicators - Retained Students, Graduation Rate, 7-12 Dropouts, 9-12 Dropouts, Attendance, High School Completers
q Student and School Demographics - Community Data, Compensatory Programs, Selected Programs, Enrollment by Demographics
q Personnel and Fiscal - Certified Personnel

Division Newsletters Media Matters Instructional Technology Newsletter October 2006
Achieving Excellence Inside Georgia Schools October and November Program Schedule Website
Resources Print Materials C.A.F.E. Parent Involvement Series

Superintendent Superintendent's Travel Snapshots for September Master Teachers Named Governor's Office of Student Achievement Awards
Instructional Technology Georgia Virtual School Now Registering Students for Fall 2006Session 4 Until October 6
School Nutrition Director Annette Hopgood Retires Exemplifying Involvement and Leadership with School Nurses Program Representation at PTA Functions New Fruit and Vegetable Pilot
State Schools Atlanta Area School for the Deaf Faculty and Students Visit Georgia Aquarium

Governor Sonny Perdue and State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox announced on September 21st that Georgia's high school graduation rate has surpassed 70 percent for the first time in state history - jumping nearly eight percentage points since 2003.
This year the state of Georgia had an official high school graduation rate of 70.8 percent, an increase of 7.5 percentage points.
"The state of Georgia has increased our investment in education by $1 billion since 2003, and simultaneously we are seeing a significant increase in our graduation rate," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "I strongly believe that finishing high school, going to college or technical school and finding that first job are important opportunities that should be available to every young Georgian."
Superintendent Cox said that the graduation rate will continue to improve with Georgia's new curriculum recently rated one of the best in the nation by the Fordham Institute - and a focus on giving students a more rigorous and relevant education.
"We won't be satisfied until our graduation rate is 100 percent, and I know we have the plan in place to make that happen," said Superintendent Cox. "Georgia's firstclass educators deserve much of the credit for getting Georgia's graduation rate headed in the right direction."

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2006 Georgia Department of Education, 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive S.E., Atlanta, GA 30334. Feedback | Privacy Policy To unsubscribe to this newsletter, please click here.