Fayette’s Students are Head of Class in Math I and II

When it comes to math, Fayette County’s students know how to crunch numbers. So much so, that they outperformed every school district in Georgia, except Forsyth, on the End of Course Test (EOCT) for Math I and Math II.

Approximately 800 students statewide failed the exam in Math I and Math II in May. Those students who passed did so by earning C’s and D’s, but Fayette’s students did better by earning the equivalent of B’s on both tests.

For Math I, 59 percent of Fayette’s students tested at the performance level, 27 percent exceeded it and only 14 percent did not meet performance standards. In Math II, 54 percent met performance standards, 25 percent exceeded and 21 percent failed.

Compared to state percentages, 52 percent met standards in Math I, 13 percent exceeded and 36 percent failed. Math II scores show 43 percent met standards, 9 percent exceeded and 48 percent failed.

The more challenging curriculum is faster paced and introduces the complex math concepts of algebra, geometry and statistics to students sooner than before. In the standards based math classrooms, teachers talk less, spending less time “telling” and more time facilitating student conversations about the current math concept. Students become doers of math with the teacher coaching and assisting them in developing their own understanding.

Math Coordinator Lynn Ridgeway says Fayette’s high EOCT scores is attributed to teacher training that took place one year before implementation of the standards, and total teacher buy-in.

“Instead of looking for ways around this curriculum, we viewed it as an opportunity for us to become better at the teaching and learning of mathematics,” says Greg Mason, the math department chair at McIntosh High.

Everyday, Fayette’s teachers teach, reflect and revise. Math I and Math II teachers meet weekly to discuss content to be taught, appropriate instructional strategies to be used and develop common assessments.

The school system also helps students with mastery of the new standards through electives for Math I and II. These courses allow students to be concurrently enrolled in their Math I or II courses and in the matching math elective. The elective provides a preview of upcoming math vocabulary and skills in their math course and a review of prior skills that a student is still struggling to master.

“Our middle and high school math faculties have put in countless hours of preparation and independent professional learning. They have worked extremely hard to implement this new curriculum. Many of our high school math teachers have remarked that students are coming from our middle schools with a rich math vocabulary and a deeper understanding of the middle school math standards. This prior knowledge has contributed to the successful learning of the Math I and Math II content that is reflected in the EOCT scores,” says Ridgeway.

-----
Community News You Can Use
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter:  @GAFrontPage

Fayette County Students Graduation Test Results Remain High

Fayette County high school students continue to post high pass rates on the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT), even on the social studies section that was aligned to the new Georgia Performance Standards this year.

In fact, more students scored in the “advanced proficiency” category in the English and science portions, up 2 points to 49 percent and up 1 point to 46 percent, respectively, over 2009. The social studies pass rate dropped 5 points from last year to 89 percent, reflecting the change from the old curriculum to the new, but school officials expect the score to rise next year after teachers and students have had more time to adapt.

The county continues to show much higher pass rates than the state in all subjects: English Language Arts, 95 percent (Fayette) and 87 percent (state); mathematics, 96 percent (Fayette) and 89 percent (state); science, 95 percent (Fayette) and 87 percent (state); social studies, 89 percent (Fayette) and 75 percent (state).

The Hispanic subgroup showed an increase in the percentage of students performing above basic proficiency in nearly all subjects. In English/language arts, those performing at the advanced level increased 10 percent and performance at the honors level increased six percent. In mathematics, advanced proficiency increased three percent; in science, advanced proficiency increased seven percent and honors proficiency increased three percent. Even with the test being aligned to the new social studies curriculum for the first time; the pass rate for Hispanic students increased two percent.

The GHSGT is given to high school students for the first time in the spring of their junior year. All four portions of the test, plus the Georgia High School Writing Test, must be passed in order for a student to receive a full diploma from a Georgia public school. Students can retake the GHSGT as many times as they like if they do not pass specific exams.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter:  @GAFrontPage

Georgia Recognizes 15 Fayette County Schools for High Academic Performance

Over 50 percent of Fayette County public schools have been recognized by the state for promoting excellence in student achievement.

Out of the county’s 28 schools, eight elementary, two middle and all five high schools received award designations of platinum, gold, silver or bronze based on the number of years the school has made AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress), the percentage of students exceeding, and the percentage meeting and exceeding academic standards.

Awards were given in two categories: greatest gain, for schools that showed the greatest improvement on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) or the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT), and highest performance, for schools that demonstrated the highest achievement on the CRCT or GHSGT.

Awards received by Fayette County Public Schools make up four percent of the 327 awards given statewide. All award winners received recognition banners and certificates for display at their schools.

Peachtree City Elementary received a platinum award in the “greatest gain” category. Both Tyrone Elementary and McIntosh High also received platinum awards in the “highest performance” category. These schools made AYP for three consecutive years, had a minimum of 35 percent exceeding standards, and at least 98 percent of students meeting and exceeding standards.

The following schools received gold awards in the “highest performance” category: Peeples Elementary, Kedron Elementary, Peachtree City Elementary, Starr’s Mill High, and Sandy Creek High. These schools made AYP for two consecutive years with 30 percent of students exceeding standards, and at least 97 percent of students meeting and exceeding standards.

Silver award winners in “highest performance” were Crabapple Lane Elementary, Braelinn Elementary, Whitewater High, Bennett’s Mill Middle, and Rising Starr Middle. These schools received silver for making AYP two consecutive years, having a minimum of 25 percent of students exceeding standards, and at least 96 percent of students meeting and exceeding standards.

Cleveland Elementary, Sara Harp Minter Elementary and Fayette County High were awarded bronze for not being in “Needs Improvement” status, having a minimum of 20 percent of students exceeding standards, and at least 95 percent of students meeting and exceeding standards.

-----
Community News You Can Use
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage

Voices Announces Season

This week, Voices announced its plans through the end of 2009. Their season has been restructured and will be presenting four events in a two-year cycle. “Since our first concert in 2006, we have consistently been told that we should have more events through out the year. So we have gone ahead and planned our season to include more events in a season that will be spread through the end of 2009,” explained Ms. Ugarte.

Voices will be presenting a series of intimate events in September 2008, December 2008 and March 2009, preceding its full scale production in September of 2009, “Mist of Night and Moon.” “There is definitely something to be said about an intimate setting,” explained Ms. Ugarte. “It has a different feel to it. It is like getting submerged into what is going on on stage and somehow being a part it and the music.” Voices will continue to present an eclectic selection of music, covering varied genres and styles that will be incorporated in the different productions. As the title suggests, there is a flavor of mystery and haunt to the theme and Voices Artistic Director promises you are certain to hear “wonderfully haunting melodies.”

Zaphyra will be returning and The Southern Nights Chorale will be joining as well. “We are thrilled to have the Southern Nights Chorale as part of the upcoming productions. They will certainly add a wonderful dimension to the concerts.” Zaphyra has some surprises coming up that will soon be announced as well as other talent to be showcased. Carlos Salon will be designing the hair styles for Zaphyra and David's Bridal has joined as Sponsoring Partner with the dresses. “We are very excited about all these partnerships. This is what we are about; creating artistic synergy in the Southern Arc. We will be profiling our partners in the upcoming months, so keep an eye out to get to know them better!” Voices will also be returning to support PBA in their fall drive.

Performances are to take place in Fayette and Coweta counties. Details and specific dates are soon to be released. Please visit www.VoicesOnline.org for continued updates.

Breakfast Brain Food Is The Best Way To Start The Day

FL Note: We see children everyday out enjoying our home turf. With all the summer activities for them to do, sometimes eating a good breakfast can get lost in the shuffle. Here's an interesting story that also includes a yummy recipe.

(NAPSI)-Buying the newest supplies may not be the best way to help your child succeed in school or at play. The best purchase may actually be the groceries stocked in the refrigerator, like healthy breakfast foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and choline for brain development, as found in Eggland’s Best eggs.

The foods that kids consume affect their daily performance and parents can help them jump-start their day by ensuring they eat a nutritious and healthy breakfast. A recent research study conducted by the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that children who suffered from decreased school performance were directly linked with unhealthy eating patterns. These children consumed a diet with low levels of highly nutrient-dense foods such as vegetables, fruit, fish and eggs.

Additionally, a study in the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics outlines the importance of a nutritious morning meal, linking skipping breakfast to weight increase in adolescent schoolchildren.

With three times more omega-3s and 10 times more vitamin E than the average egg, Eggland’s Best (EB) is one of many nutrient-dense foods that can potentially help promote brain focus along with memory and cognitive functions in children throughout the day. Compared to ordinary eggs, EB eggs contain 25 percent less saturated fat, 19 percent less cholesterol (175 mg. vs. 215 mg.), 200 mcg. of lutein for eye health, plus provide 40 percent of a person’s daily requirement of iodine. Here’s a tasty recipe to make the most of this valuable brain food:

Eggland’s Best Brainy Burrito

Serving Size: 1

Cook Time: 3-4 minutes

Ingredients:

2 Eggland’s Best eggs

1 whole wheat tortilla

1 tablespoon refried beans

¼ cup low-fat cheese

2 tablespoons salsa

½ avocado, sliced

Nonstick spray

Preparation Method:

Spray nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Beat Eggland’s Best eggs; pour into skillet and cook, stirring continually, until slightly set, about 2 minutes. Add cheese. Spread refried beans on tortilla. Cover with a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds. Spread Eggland’s Best egg and cheese filling down the center of the tortilla. Add salsa and sliced avocado. Fold one side of the tortilla over filling. Fold up bottom. Roll securely.

Don’t let the morning time crunch tempt kids to skip breakfast.

Here are a few ways to save time:

• Pack schoolbags at night and set them by the door.

• Make bedtime fun and lay out clothes the night before.

• Get kids more enthusiastic about eating in the morning by asking them to help select some of their favorite foods.

For more information, visit www.eggland.com.

Unhealthy eating habits can negatively affect kids’ school performance, so make sure they eat a nutritious breakfast.