​Good afternoon! Welcome to GaDOE Updates, a new newsletter from the Georgia Department of Education. Every other Friday, we’ll be sending out a roundup of news, information and spotlights on K-12 public education in Georgia.

In between, keep up with GaDOE on Facebook and Twitter. Know something that should be featured in an upcoming edition of GaDOE Updates? Contact Communications Specialist Meghan Frick at mfrick@doe.k12.ga.us or Communications Director Matt Cardoza at mcardoza@doe.k12.ga.us.

Middle school girls get a look at STEM possibilities:

In a classroom at Kennesaw State University on Monday, clusters of middle school girls were rigging up habitats for yet-to-be-hatched milkweed bugs. In another classroom just a few feet away, girls were graphing the distance of an air trolley. Others were watching an electrostatics demonstration, or digging into the history of women in math. And farther out, in the lobby, an astronaut held court. NASA astronaut Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger was in middle school when she first dreamed of being an astronaut and got a look at the future STEM could bring her. At Girls’ Adventures in STEM, an event co-hosted by GaDOE at several locations this week, girls across Georgia got the same glimpse. Read more here and see photos here.

Georgia named a leader in implementing new standards:

Georgia is a leader among several states in implementation of the Common Core, according to a report released March 19 by the Southern Regional Education Board. The report, which tracks progress in 15 states, benchmarked five areas of implementation, identifying “leading states” and “strong states” in each. Georgia was named a “leading state, with the most comprehensive array of resources and materials and the most extensive efforts, in two areas: Teaching Resources and Accountability. Georgia was identified as a “strong state” in Timeline and Approach to Standards, Professional Development, and Teacher and Leader Evaluation. Read more here.

Race to the Top “year three” report highlights Georgia’s successes:

The U.S. Department of Education released its annual progress report March 20 about each of the 12 states participating in the Race to the Top grant initiative. The report noted several of Georgia’s successes, including surpassed proficiency targets on English language arts (ELA) assessments in grades 3, 5, and 8; the placement of 280 teachers in Georgia public schools from alternative certification programs; a new Performance learning center in Carrollton City Schools; and increased support for STEM educators. Read more here.

Georgia’s public schools in the news:

Georgia setting standard on teaching civil rights | Columbus Ledger Enquirer: http://bit.ly/1dRc1N3

Students face ethical decisions in real-life experiences | Gainesville Times: http://bit.ly/1gBox8Z

Dr. Barge discusses the state’s role in school closures | Georgia.gov: http://1.usa.gov/P79LuM

Academy for the Blind program encourages fitness, fun | Macon Telegraph: http://bit.ly/1g4zDO5

Buggy day for young Gaines Elementary gardeners | Athens Banner-Herald: http://bit.ly/OYsQj1

Save the date:

April 2 and 3: State Board of Education Meeting (Atlanta)

May 3: State Schools Title I Conference for Parents and Professionals (Macon)

May 22: Atlanta Area School for the Deaf graduation (Clarkston – 10:45 a.m.)

May 22: Georgia School for the Deaf graduation (Cave Spring – 2 p.m.)

May 23: Georgia Academy for the Blind graduation (Macon – 11 a.m.)​