We continue the effort at Atlanta Public Schools to emerge from our perfect storm of challenges.
While the latest report on the district’s “adequate yearly progress” status under the No Child Left Behind Act placed more of our schools on the “needs improvement” list, Georgia School Superintendent John Barge noted in a letter that, “Almost half of the schools with evidence of cheating in 2009 and prior years made AYP in 2011 when there was no evidence of cheating and when there was a much higher academic bar to meet.”
This continued academic performance improvement didn’t just happen over the past several months; it has been going on for quite a while. And we are embracing this partnership with the state in the mutual effort to continuously improve students’ academic performance.
The district’s new academic support program launched just this month was developed to continue the academic progress made in recent years by providing additional support for students whose performance is below standards. It includes special classes during the regular school day, as well as the potential for before-school, after-school and Saturday programs, as the budget allows.
Last week, voters overwhelmingly approved the continuation of the SPLOST that has generated $1.4 billion over the past 14 years. I am hopeful that amounts to a vote of public confidence both on how we have used these revenues in the past to develop and maintain quality schools and campuses and on the course we are setting for the future.
The new APS leadership team is currently reviewing existing programs, including the small schools and learning environments structure now in place at all APS high schools to determine if this concept is financially viable and results in accelerated student performance improvement. We are also assessing the measures used to gauge high school success, including graduation and dropout rates.
We are also proactively engaging our parents and the larger community by holding town hall meetings with Atlanta Board of Education members. We are also nurturing existing partnerships with over 400 businesses and community organizations that provide resources to students and school-based staff.
Lastly, the APS board received a vote of confidence from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools earlier this month, when the probation accreditation status was lifted from APS high schools. The board also received a vote of confidence from the Georgia Board of Education when it voted not to recommend further action to the governor regarding the APS board.
Our progress in managing through numerous challenges is encouraging, even as we continue the effort.
Erroll B. Davis Jr. is superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools.
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