Georgia Recognized for Improving Low-Performing Schools

Georgia is one of six states recognized in a recent report published by the Center on Educational Policy entitled Improving Low Performing Schools: Lessons from Five Years of Studying School Restructuring under No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Georgia was highlighted in the report for its policy on restructuring of schools in the most severe status of Needs Improvement levels 5 and above.

As part of Georgia's Differentiated Accountability Plan, each school in Needs Improvement level five and above has a full-time state director that works in the school ensuring that faculty, staff, and students do what is necessary to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). That includes providing observations and professional development for teachers, academic coaches, and administrators. The state directors work to help the schools implement strategies and policies that can be sustained after the school has been removed from State-Directed status so the schools continue to make AYP.

At its November meeting, the State Board of Education and Superintendent Cox recognized 17 of these State-Directed schools for being removed from Needs Improvement status. With the help and guidance of the state directors placed in these schools, the administrators and teachers were able to implement strategies that helped their schools do what once seemed impossible and make AYP two years in a row.


MORE INFORMATION:

17 State-Directed Schools Removed from Needs Improvement Status:
Kennedy Middle, Atlanta Public Schools
Long Middle, Atlanta Public Schools
Oak Hill Middle, Baldwin County
Bryan County Middle, Bryan County
Henderson Middle, Butts County
Crawford County Middle, Crawford County
Merry Acres Middle, Dougherty County
Franklin County Middle, Franklin County
East Hall Middle, Hall County
Mitchell County Middle, Mitchell County
Clements Middle, Newton County
Pelham City Middle, Pelham City
Morgan Road Middle, Richmond County
Spirit Creek Middle, Richmond County
Tubman Middle, Richmond County
Upson-Lee Middle, Thomaston-Upson Schools
MacIntyre Park Middle, Thomasville City


Full CEP Report