“Georgia’s
Choice” Yields Long-Term, Statewide Results
The
Challenge
- In
2000, the Georgia Department of Education challenged all schools to get at
least 50 percent of their students to proficiency in English language arts and
mathematics on a new state test within three&
The
Solution
- The
state selected America’s Choice as its turnaround partner, making more than 100
of the state’s low-performing schools “Georgia’s Choice” schools.
- America’s
Choice specialists focused on strengthening school leadership and instructional
practices in literacy and mathematics.
The
Results
- The
30 America’s Choice middle schools grew at an average annual rate of 6 percent
in English language arts, compared with 4 percent for Georgia middle schools as a whole.
- In
mathematics, America’s Choice schools grew at an average annual rate of 6.6
percent, compared with 5 percent in Georgia middle schools. America’s Choice
schools outpaced the state growth in English language arts and mathematics over
four years.
- By
2004, America’s Choice students had met the department’s challenge.
- “Georgia’s Choice” had an
enormous impact on the state’s education system. A culture of high expectations
is evident in the state’s new performance standards, which replaced their
content standards. America’s Choice supported the Georgia standards-setting
process—and the America’s Choice schools served as exemplary models of
standards-based teaching and learning for the rollout of the new standards.
Over Four Years, Average Annual Growth in 30
America's Choice Middle Schools Outpaces State
in English Language Arts and Mathematics
Average annual growth in the percentage of middle school students
meeting or exceeding proficiency levels on the
8th-grade Georgia Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests, 2001-04
