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MEDIA CONTACT: Matt Cardoza, (404) 651-7358, mcardoza@gadoe.org - Follow us on Twitter and Facebook March 1, 2010 -- Georgia is one of just three states in the nation to have adopted four or more college- and career-ready policies necessary to adequately prepare students for college and 21st century jobs, according to a national report released today. Achieve, Inc., a bipartisan, nonprofit organization created by governors and business leaders, released the fifth annual “Closing the Expectations Gap” report that shows Georgia is in a select group of states having almost all of the recommended college- and career-ready policies. "Since 2003 we have said that all Georgia students should receive a quality education that prepares them to succeed in postsecondary education and 21st century careers," said State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox. "Our students are competing with students from all over the world so we must continue to have rigorous requirements that give them the best chance of being successful when they leave high school." “It is imperative that Georgia students are prepared to compete not only nationally, but internationally,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “The work we have done in raising standards and improving data and accountability is helping us deliver a world-class education to our students.” The “Closing the Expectations Gap” report has been conducted annually by Achieve since 2005 when it launched the American Diploma Project (ADP) Network to challenge states to work together on a college- and career-readiness agenda. Georgia has been an ADP member since 2005. The 50-state survey measures the same five areas of reform each year, as listed below, and reveals the current status of each state: Standards: Align high school standards with the expectations of college and careers. Georgia is one of 31 states that have developed and adopted high school academic standards in English and mathematics that are aligned with college- and career-ready expectations. Graduation Requirements: Align high school graduation requirements with college- and career-ready expectations. Georgia is one of 20 states and the District of Columbia that require all students to complete a college- and career-ready curriculum to earn a high school diploma. P–20 Data Systems: Develop P–20 longitudinal data systems that link states’ student-level K–12 data with similar data from their postsecondary systems. Georgia is one of 16 states matching data annually. Assessments: Develop college- and career-ready high school assessments. Georgia is one of 14 states to have these kind of exams. Accountability: Develop a comprehensive reporting and accountability system that promotes college and career readiness. Georgia is one of 22 states that have now incorporated at least one of four accountability indicators that Achieve has identified as critical to promoting college and career readiness. Through the Alliance of Education Agency Heads, all seven of the state's education agencies, the Governor's Office, Governor's Office of Workforce Development, Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce have been working collaboratively on aligning policies and initiatives that prepare all students in Georgia for 21st century careers and college. The number one goal of the Alliance is to increase the high school graduation rate, decrease high school drop-out rate, and increase post-secondary enrollment rate. More Information: Closing the Expectations Gap Report: www.achieve.org/ClosingtheExpectationsGap2010 . Georgia's Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2012: http://tinyurl.com/GaGradRequirements The Alliance of Education Agency Heads: http://www.gaeducationalliance.org/ To learn more about Achieve, visit www.achieve.org .
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