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Area 1 Overview
Overall, we are pleased with the progress of students in Area 1 schools. Amidst a changing student population, students continue to make significant gains in reading, writing, science, social studies and mathematics. Our success is directly related to the hard work of the faculty and the adoption of effective research based instructional strategies through professional development in Balanced Literacy, America’s Choice, Learning Focus and Kovalik training. Schools and their faculties have made strong commitments to reviewing student data, monitoring individual student progress and employing effective teaching/learning strategies in the classroom. In addition, support programs offered at every school assisted students in all academic areas. While challenges remain, with 5 schools not making AYP in 2 subgroups, the gains in other areas are substantial and indicate overall improved academic progress. Noteworthy improvements in student academic performance include:
Elementary School Reading 7.3% Middle School Reading 4.1% High School Ninth Grade Lit and Comp 9.5%
In Area 1, our elementary Title I schools have enjoyed tremendous success on improving student achievement. Clay Elementary, Sky View Elementary, Austell Primary, Austell Intermediate, Harmony-Leland Elementary, Mableton Elementary, Riverside Primary and Riverside Intermediate were recognized as Title I Distinguished Schools for making AYP for three or more consecutive years In addition to increased test scores, schools in area 1 enjoyed a multitude of successes and accolades for their work through innovative instructional programming and success and creativity in activities outside of the classroom. Below is a sample of their accomplishments. Riverside Primary – Provided parent workshops on the new Georgia Performance Standards, inclusion of local artist in promoting and exposing students to the arts, and continued development as a Literacy Collaborative site. Riverside Intermediate – Implementation of the Balanced Literacy program including the training of needed Literacy Coaches, improved technology access for students, and the building of a strong inclusive School Council. Austell Primary – Continued implementation as an America’s Choice School, held an intensive parenting program in the evenings and successfully participated in the million word campaign. Austell Intermediate – Continued implementation as an America’s Choice School, implemented a Meet, Greet and Eat program for parents to observe their children in school and their outstanding chorus program participating in many community events including the Austell Tree of Lights Program. Bryant Primary – Outstanding implementation of effective teaching practices provided by Learning Focus, hosted the first Cobb County televised school drug and awareness program and implemented a Men’s and Ladies Day providing an opportunity for men and women in the community to be involved in the school. Bryant Intermediate – Improved parent/school involvement through effective communication, implemented gender-based classes in the 5th grade and extensively used research based Learning Focus strategies. Mableton Elementary – Develops a strong sense of community, ensured uninterrupted instructional time and has developed an award winning PTA. Sky View Elementary – Continued implementation as an America’s Choice School, student winner of the 3rd grade Cobb County writing fair and piloted the M-class online computer reading assessment program. Harmony-Leland – Recognized nationally for developing school-based initiatives and achieving success through the Artful Learning methodology, employs two full time strings teachers and a full time dance teacher, and provided parent workshops to enhance the student parent partnership in support of improved academic achievement. Sanders Primary – Improved parent involvement in the school with 97% of the parents indicating they feel welcomed at the school, increased participation in the Accelerated Learning program and expanded inclusive practices for students with special needs. Sanders Intermediate – Expanded the number of students in the gifted program, successful implementation of an effective writing program significantly improving student performance, and extensively used student data to assess student performance. Clarkdale Elementary – Extensive use of data to monitor student performance and adjust teaching strategies, named the Best of the Best school for the 2007 Kovalik conference, and established a stable and experienced teaching faculty. Lindley Middle – Effectively implemented research based teaching/learning strategies, received superior festival ratings for chorus and orchestra and students placed first in the Lockheed Paper Airplane contest. Floyd Middle – Added instructional offerings in Spanish, French, and German, increased the non-fiction readings complimenting the social studies curriculum, and completed a new wing with state of the art technology. Garrett Middle – Strong America’s Choice school, made AYP last year and students and staff read 29,390 books.
Pebblebrook High – successfully completed a renovation project including a new cafeteria, library and courtyard, developed a school-wide writing rubric used in all classes, strengthen the departmental leadership team to support effective instructional practice. South Cobb High – increased the percentage of students passing the Georgia High School Writing Graduation Test by 9%, won the Slow Pitch Softball State Championship which was the first state title in school history and implemented a Ninth Grade Academy to improve academic and behavior success of students transitioning to high school Central Alternative – expanded the use of software such as Read 180, My skills Tutor and Performance series to improve students’ reading skills, used pre and post testes to assess students progress, integrated a social skills curriculum “Teach One to Lead One” and “Peak Performance Sessions” addressing negative behaviors and student decision making skills. |
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