Press release [Aug. 4, 2008]

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Press Release

We writ tead the notjoji m rmprovlng sfujden^ achieve me r?^ -- Kalhy Cox

Georgia's Standards Get High Marks
Report: New Curriculum Will Prepare Students for College and Work
Media Contact: GaDCE Communications cfficef (404-) 463-1437JdtcFio@oadce.ci-o

Read the Report: http://www.achieye.crq/ccmmcnccre

August 4, 200S -- Georgia's state curriculum is extremely well-aligned with what colleges and the business world expect high school graduates to know, according to a national report released today.
Achieve Inc.r a group seeking to raise academic standards across the nation, reviewed the standards of 16 states to determine it the state's expectations of students aligned with the skills and knowledge needed in college and the work place. With a top score of 3 points, Georgia's English standards scored 2.96 and Georgia's math standards scored 2.79.
"The Achieve report is another validation of the hard work that was done to create clear, rigorous standards for cur students," said State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox. "The Georgia Performance Standards are providing cur students the core knowledge they need to be successful in the 21st century."
Georgia is one of 33 states engaged in Achieve's "American Diploma Project," which seeks to align state standa-ds with college- and work-ready expectations. It is the result cf collaboration between the nation's governor's and business leaders.
"This report underscores the wisdom to put in place a more rigorous curricLilum in Georgia's K-12 schools," said University System cf Georgia Chancellor Erroll E. Davis. "Higher academic standards in K-12 means more Georgians graduating from high school prepared Per college-level work, and in turn, ultimately, more college graduates ready tc help Georgia prosper."
Achieve's report, "Out of Many, One: Toward Rigorous Common Core Standards from the Grcund Up," reviews the English and Mathematics standards fer the 16 states that signed cn tc the American Diploma Project early on. It rates English standards in eight categories, or "strands," and rates Mathematics standards in five categories. The top possible score is a 3.0 in each area (see chart below).
Georgia has revised its core curriculum into a set cf clear, rigorous expectations called the Georgia Performance Standards. The curriculum revision began with the Four core subjects of English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. The Georgia Performance Standards are being phased in over a number cf years and teachers are being trained for a Full year before the new curriculum is introduced in the classroom.
Additionally, the state has a new set cF graduation requirements that were developed collaboratively by educators and leaders Frcm K-12 schools, colleges, universities, technical colleges and the business community. In order to earn a diploma, students who are entering 9th grade in 2008-2009 will have to take feur years cF mathematics, science and English Language arts and three years cF social studies. These students will also have at least seven electives with which tc personalize their education, whether that includes more core content, career-prep a rati on classes or pursuit cf the arts.
"In today's world, all students need a strong Fcundaticn in mathematics, English, science and social studies, no matter what their plans are after school," said Ron Jackson, Commissioner cf the Technical College System cf Georgia. "IF we properly prepare cur students in elementary, middle and high school, we are preparing cur students for success and creating a strong workforce for the state cf Georgia."
Superintendent Cox, Chancellor Davis and Commissicner Jackson serve together on the Alliance cf Education Agency Heads. The Alliance brings together the leaders of Georgia's seven education agencies to collaborate on initiatives that will improve educational opportunities, frcm pre-K to Ph. D.
The ether members cf the Alliance are Jennifer Rippner Buck, Executive Director cf the Governor's Office cf Student Achievement; Tim Ccnnell, President cf the Georgia Student Finance Ccmmissicn, Kelly Henson, Executive Secretary cf the Georgia Professional Standards Ccmmissicn, and Hclly Robinson, Commissioner cf the Department cf Early Care and Learning. The Alliance also includes representatives from the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education and the Metro Atlanta Chamber cf Commerce. Learn more abcut the Alliance at www.Qaeducaticnalliance.crg.

GEORGIA'S ENGLISH STANDARDS

Strand

Score (cut of 3.0)

Language Ccmmunicaticn Writing Research Logic Infcrmational Text Media Literature TOTAL AVERAGE

3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.67 3.0 3.0 2.96

GEORGIA'S MATHEMATICS STANDARDS

Strand

Score (out cf 3.0)

Number Sense and Numeracy Operations Algebra Geometry Data Interpretation, Statistics St Prcbability Mathematical Reasoning TOTAL AVERAGE

2.63
2.92 2.39 2.50
3.0 2.79

ZOOS Georgia Department of Education, 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive S,E,r Atlanta, GA 30334