State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge named the 2011 Georgia Schools of Excellence in Student Achievement, honoring 26 Georgia schools that have shown the greatest improvement or highest achievement across the state. Each of these schools will receive a $1,000 check from Georgia Natural Gas to be used however they wish.

"These schools are showing that excellence can be achieved when they focus on providing a world-class education for their students," Superintendent Barge said. "I offer my sincere congratulations to our 2011 Georgia Schools of Excellence and my appreciation to Georgia Natural Gas for their continued support of our schools as the title sponsor." 

The Georgia Schools of Excellence are honored in two categories. Qualifying schools are chosen from each Congressional District in the following categories:
- Top 10%: Schools that are in the top 10 percent in Georgia as measured by assessments in reading and mathematics.
- Greatest Gains: Schools that demonstrated greatest continuous gains in student achievement for the past three years as measured by assessments in reading and mathematics.

Among the 2011 GEORGIA SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE in the GREATEST GAINS category are Matilda Harris Elementary in Camden County and Heard Elementary in Savannah-Chatham.  In the TOP 10 PERCENT category, Oglethorpe Point Elementary in Glynn County and Savannah Arts Academy in Savannah-Chatham were among those named GEORGIA SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE.

FDRESA salutes these schools for their successes and for earning this distinction! 

Getting to the Core of the ELA and Reading
Common Core Georgia Performance State Standards: K-5 ELA and Reading

Make plans to attend a two-day workshop on March 5 and 6 designed to prepare participants with practical ideas and lessons that meet the intent and implementation of K-5 ELA and reading standards.

What to Expect:  Multiple interactive sessions given over the two-day workshop will untangle key aspects of the CCGPS ELA and literacy standards for grades K-5 and provide hands-on support on the following topics:

•   Exploring the Depth of Knowledge (DOK) of standards
•   Analyzing skills and content expectations of the CCGPS
•   Integrating the standards in instruction
•   Foundational Reading Strategies
•   Making writing a key component of content specific instruction
•   Making grammar a part of everyday learning
•   Building vocabulary through reading

Who Should Attend? 

•   Teachers of ELA, grades K-5
•   Teacher Leaders and Curriculum Leaders

Presenter:                Mary Stout, former Georgia Department of Education Program Manager of ELA and current Director of Profession Learning at CSRA RESA.

Date:                          March 5 and 6, 2012 (Monday and Tuesday).  Participants will attend BOTH DAYS.
Time:                          9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Registration Cost:   $75 per participant
Location:                   Liberty County Board of Education, 200 Bradwell Street, Hinesville, Georgia

 Click here to REGISTER!

Participants should bring a copy of the CCGPS ELA and/or Reading Standards that correlate to their teaching assignments. 
Maximum number of participants is sixty.  Those first sixty who register will have reserved places at the workshop.

State School Superintendent, Dr. John Barge is pleased to announce the 2011 Exemplary and Exceptional Library Media Programs for the state of Georgia.   Midway Middle School in Liberty County and Glynn Academy in Glynn County were recognized as exemplary programs.

The Georgia Department of Education Division of Academic Standards solicited applications from schools.  Library Media Programs in three schools (elementary, middle and high) were selected for this recognition.  Library Media Specialists and DOE staff selected the recipients based on school applications, principals’ narratives, telephone interviews, or on-site visits.  This program is an opportunity to describe how the Library Media Program is meeting school improvement goals and improving student achievement.

Congratulations to Midway Middle School, LMS Cristina Dover and Principal Debra Frazier.  Congratulations to Glynn Academy, LMS Melissa Purcell and Amy Bradley and Principal Scott Spence.

Click on the link below to see a comparison of 2010 and 2011 results of FDRESA high school percentages for students meeting and exceeding standards on the GHSGT.

CLICK HERE!