Category Archives: School Choice

Education And Economic Development

Posted on April 21, 2015 by | Comments Off on Education And Economic Development

Nancy Jester is a tireless advocate for children and taxpayers in Georgia. Nancy was elected to serve on the DeKalb Board of Education and became the first person to find and publish deceptive budgeting practices that plundered the accumulated reserves of the 3rd largest school system in Georgia.  She is currently the Commissioner for DeKalb County District 1 and frequently sends out notes and updates across the county and state.
Recently she gave a legislative update to the Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce and gave the Inspirational Speech at the DeKalb County Board of Education saying,
“I’ve heard officials talk about we’re making progress and that should count.  It is right to note that we have made some progress and I commend you and the leaders and teachers in the schools.  But, it’s also important to talk about relative progress.  Because, as somebody that really enjoys looking at the data, we know there is a trend toward progress.  So, we have to dis-aggregate what is the noise of progress, what is the flow of progress from what is really achievement increasing.”
She followed that up recently with this email update on education and economic development:
By: Nancy Jester
DeKalb County Commissioner District 1

PROGRESS ?

If you are wondering what “progress” DeKalb schools has made, here’s a table of the 2014 CCRPI data. Out of 10 school districts in the metro area, DeKalb is last place for aggregate achievement in elementary and middle schools. It is circling the drain with APS and Clayton in High School achievement. Please note that Valdosta city schools outperform DeKalb’s elementary schools by 17% points despite the fact that they have 24% points more economically disadvantaged students than DeKalb.
In a report last year, Angelou Economics concluded a market assessment with these sobering facts. Compared to the benchmark counties, DeKalb:
1.Had the highest rates of violent and property crimes.
2.Had the lowest population growth from 2000-2013.
3.Was the only county to have negative employment growth.
4.Has the highest percentage of rental units; a sign of instability.
The report specifically cited the educational system as a weakness and a threat to improving economic conditions.

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Posted in Board Meetings, Nancy Jester, School Choice

Earn College Credit in High School

Posted on March 30, 2015 by | Comments Off on Earn College Credit in High School

Attention Parents!  Your student can earn college credit in high school.

Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit programs provide opportunities for Georgia high school students to take college-level courses and earn concurrent credit toward a high school diploma and a college degree while still in high school.
Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit courses are primarily available for any eligible 11th or 12th grade (in some limited cases 9th-10th) high school students. Students may enroll full-time or part-time in approved credit-bearing college-level courses by the State Board of Education.
Required Dates and Information to Parents and Students
April 1, 2015 is the deadline for dual enrollment general information to be provided to all 8th through 11th grade students and their parents each school year, as required by Georgia legislation.
If you want your child enrolled in a dual enrollment program, Georgia legislation requires a parent conference with the high school counselor where the following programs are explained and the appropriate dual enrollment/dual credit forms can be completed and signed to ensure enrollment.
Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit Facts
Eligible dual enrollment/dual credit courses are included in state-approved course lists, including the Accel list, Dual Enrollment Matrix Course Directory, and the Move on When Ready Supplemental List.
One to two college semester hours will earn ½ high school unit, while three to five college hours will earn a full high school unit.
If colleges and universities provide letter grades for their courses, the local system will create a numerical conversion chart for all dual enrollment credit courses.
Dual enrollment/dual credit courses may be taken before, during, or after regular school hours, and may be taught on the college
campus, on-line or at the high school during the regular school calendar year.

Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit Programs in Georgia


Accel

  • Accel is a non-need based program offered for students that wish to take college-level (academic-only, degree-level) coursework for credit toward both high school and college graduation requirements.
  • The Accel Program became state funded instead of lottery funded beginning fall 2011. Students may attend part-time or full-time.

www.gsfc.org/gsfcnew/SandG_regs_2013.cfm
Dual HOPE Grant

  • Dual HOPE Grant is a non-need based grant program for students seeking technical certificates or diplomas from one of the Technical College System of Georgia institutions.
  • Students may attend part-time or full-time. Beginning fall 2011, funding was returned to local systems for Dual HOPE Grant students.

www.gsfc.org/main/publishing/pdf/2014/2014-HOPE-Grant.pdf
Move On When Ready

  • Move on When Ready requires an eligible 11th or 12th grade student to be enrolled full-time and take ALL courses through an eligible postsecondary institution.
  • Students receive secondary and college credit for completing graduation and high school diploma requirements.
  • Tuition for Move on When Ready students is paid by the Georgia Department of Education to the designated technical college, college or university.
  • A full-time student can take between 12 and 15 credit hours each semester.

www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/CTAE/Pages/Transition-Career-Partnerships.aspx
Articulated Credit

  • Articulated Credit provides students the opportunity to receive both high school and post-secondary course credit after successfully completing identified academic and career-related courses leading to a diploma, certificate or degree.
  • Successfully passing selected statewide articulated course assessments provide opportunities for post secondary and high school credit for high school students.
  • There are no costs for participation in articulation as the high school courses are taught at the local high school, during their normal school day with the regular high school teachers.

Early College

  • Early College is a partnership between a designated local school system and a University System of Georgia institution.
  • Early College provides students with the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and coursework toward an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree.

www.gaearlycollege.org/
Gateway To College

  • Gateway to College programs are located exclusively on college campuses and include local agreements between local school systems and colleges.

www.gatewaytocollege.org/partner_programs.asp
Residential Programs
Residential Programs are offered for gifted, talented, and motivated students through the University System of Georgia at two institutions:

  • The Advanced Academy of Georgia on the campus of the University of West Georgia

www.advancedacademy.org/

  • The Georgia Academy of Mathematics, Engineering and Science at Middle Georgia College

www.mgc.edu/Academics/Natural-Science-Math/GAMES

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Posted in Georgia Education, School Choice