GLOSSARY

Here are a few terms metro parents should know:

No Child Left Behind Act. President George W. Bush's sweeping federal law passed in 2001. For more information, go to www.nochildleftbehind.gov

A+ Education Reform Act. State law proposed by then-Gov. Roy Barnes and passed by the Legislature in 2000 requiring reduced class size, school councils and other reforms.

ESOL. English to Speakers of Other Languages, a program for children who do not speak English well.

School councils. Elected committees of parents, business leaders, teachers and the school principal. They advise the local board on school policy.

Ability grouping. The practice of separating students by ability in subjects such as reading and math.

Inclusion. The practice of integrating special education students into a regular classroom, often with support from a special education teacher or aide.

Balanced calendar. The practice of extending the school year into the summer, with more breaks during the traditional school year.

RESOURCES

Georgia Department of Education. Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox; Board of Education Chairman Wanda Barrs. 2054 Twin Towers East, Atlanta 30334. 404-656-2800 or 1-800-311-3627, www.doe.k12.ga.us

University System of Georgia. Chancellor Thomas Meredith; Board of Regents Chairman Joe Frank Harris. 270 Washington St. S.W., Atlanta 30334. 404-656-6050, www.usg.edu

Georgia Independent School Association. P.O. Box 1505, Griffin 30224. 770-227-3456, www.gisa2.org

Georgia Association of Christian Schools. 337 S. Milledge Ave., Suite 218, Athens 30605. 706-549-2190, www.gacs.org

Georgia Home Education Association. 141 Massengale Road, Brooks 30205. 770-461-3657, www.ghea.org

HOPE scholarship program. 2082 E. Exchange Place, Tucker 30084. 770-724-9000, 1-800-776-6878, www.gsfc.org/hope

Office of School Readiness (pre-kindergarten program). 10 Park Place South, Suite 200, Atlanta 30303. 404-656-5957, 1-888-442-7735, www.osr.state.ga.us

Georgia School Council Institute. www.gaschoolcouncil.org

Office of Education Accountability. www.ga-oea.org

Georgia Public Policy Foundation. www.gppf.org

ATTENDANCE

Georgia law requires students to attend public or private school or a home-study program from their sixth to their 16th birthdays. Public kindergarten is available in every school system but is not compulsory. A child must be 5 on or before Sept. 1 to enter public kindergarten and 6 on or before Sept. 1 to enter first grade. Local school registration procedures vary by district. Here are some general rules:

School systems must verify age before enrollment, so have a birth certificate handy.

A student's parent or guardian should request that records or transcripts be forwarded to the student's new school or system.

Students must have a Georgia Department of Human Resources immunization certificate for measles, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, mumps, whooping cough and hepatitis B. A student who has never been in a Georgia public school also must provide certification of eye, ear and dental examinations.

Students enrolling in Georgia schools for the first time will be asked by the school or school system to furnish a Social Security number. Students for whom Social Security numbers are not available will be assigned other student identification numbers.

For more information: www.doe.k12.ga.us/doe/help/newcomers.asp

TESTS

The following tests are given to students in Georgia:

End-of-course tests. Possibly starting in the spring of 2004, these will be given to all students who have completed any of the following courses: algebra I, geometry, physical science, biology, economics, U.S. history, ninth-grade literature and composition, American literature and composition. The end-of-course tests will eventually replace the Georgia High School Graduation Tests.

Georgia Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT). A statewide standardized test taken in the spring by students in grades one through eight. Results are used to determine whether a school is doing a good job or must offer parents the option of tutoring or transferring to another school. Because of testing company glitches in spring 2003, this test wasn't given in all grades. Starting in 2004, students must pass the third-grade CRCT to progress to fourth grade.

Georgia High School Graduation Test. Given several times a year to students in grades 11 and 12. Will be phased out.

Georgia Kindergarten Assessment Program -- Revised. Given to kindergartners to show readiness for first grade. Given during first two weeks of the school year, then in January-February and again in March-April.

Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Nationally standardized test given to students in grades three, five and eight. School systems that did not give this test in spring 2003 will administer it in the fall.

Preliminary SAT. Given to college-bound students in 10th or 11th grade as preparation for the SAT.

SAT. Given to college-bound students in 11th or 12th grade. Offered several times a year.

Writing assessments. Given to students in grades three, five, eight and 11 at various times throughout the year.