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GaDOE Chief of Staff Leaving Georgia to Coordinate the Next Generation of Science Standards

 MEDIA CONTACTS:    Matt Cardoza, Georgia Department of Education  (404) 651-7358 or  mcardoza@gadoe.org    - Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook    Sandy Boyd, Achieve  (202) 419-1542 or  sboyd@achieve.org      June 7, 2010  -- Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) Chief of Staff Stephen Pruitt today announced he will be leaving his position effective July 5 to become the Director of Science for Achieve. He will begin that position on July 6.   Based in Washington, D.C., Achieve is a bipartisan non-profit organization, founded by governors and business leaders, to ensure that all high school graduates are prepared for college, careers and life.   “I am very excited about this new opportunity to join such a well-respected organization like Achieve," said Pruitt. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Georgia Department of Education and my time in the classroom. The chance to coordinate the development of the next generation of science standards is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I could not pass up."   "We are thrilled that Stephen will be joining Achieve as our new Director of Science," said Michael Cohen, Achieve's President. "Stephen brings to the job a deep understanding of science, science education and policymaking, and his outstanding credentials will be an asset to Achieve."   Pruitt joined the GaDOE in 2003 as the Program Manager for Science. He served in that role for four years before becoming Director of Academic Standards, where he oversaw the continued implementation of the Georgia Performance Standards in all content areas. In 2008 he was promoted to Associate Superintendent of Assessment and Accountability, a role that directs all state assessments and oversees the No Child Left Behind accountability process - Adequate Yearly Progress. In April 2009, State School Superintendent Kathy Cox selected Pruitt as her Chief of Staff, where he has coordinated a variety of projects like Georgia's third-ranked Race to the Top application.   “Stephen has been a tremendous advocate for the students and teachers in Georgia for many years," said Superintendent Cox. "He has dedicated his career to ensuring that all students are prepared for success after high school, especially in the area of science. I can think of no one better suited for this position to help lead our national science efforts than Stephen."   “Leaving Georgia and all of the colleagues I've had the opportunity to work with over the last several years is very difficult,” said Pruitt. “But I feel like this is a perfect time for me and my family to take this next step and be able to have an impact on the future science curriculum all students in our country will learn."   MORE INFORMATION:  Achieve -  http://www.achieve.org     
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