Q: What can you tell me about the College Heights pre-k program that President Barack Obama recently visited? — Debbie Lary, Lithonia
A: The College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center is under the City Schools of Decatur Board of Education and has programs for infants through pre-kindergarten. "It began through the vision of Superintendent Phyllis Edwards and the board as a way to close the achievement gap," Courtney Burnett, the legislative and community liaison for the City Schools of Decatur, told Q&A on the News in an email. The CSD Board of Education took over the program in 2010, she wrote. Burnett provided these points:
- There is an elaborate teacher evaluation system called CLASS Keys.
- There is ongoing professional learning through our instructional coach.
- There is a comprehensive preschool Response to Intervention (RTI) program.
- There is an extensive preschool exceptional students or special education (ESS) program.
- It adheres to the three P's of explicit teaching: planned, purposeful and playful.
More information can be found on College Heights’ website (eclc.csdecatur.net) or by calling 404-370-4480. Obama visited the school Feb. 14.
Q: Our local Fox News did a story on the NASCAR accident at Daytona. Chip Carter was the reporter. Is he the son of former President Jimmy Carter? — Kathy McDonough, Peachtree Corners
A: Chip Carter, who is the sports director for Fox 13 in Tampa, Fla., is not one of the former president's three sons. They are Jack Carter, James Earl Carter III, also known as Chip, and Jeff Carter.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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