spring education guide - 2016

SNELLVILLE Hav-ing a student succeed beyond high school, and pursue any of a range of op-portunities out there, comes down to exposure.

That was the sentiment of several college represen-tatives and an assistant prin-cipal at Brookwood High School earlier this month as the school hosted reps from 56 colleges and universities.

Wanted to give our kids an opportunity to be exposed and learn more about colleges because we are about college and career readiness, said Demetria Williams, an assistant principal at Brookwood. We really wanted them to have an opportunity to hear about the colleges as soon as possible because were talking all grade levels, nine through 12, that are coming in. Give them that exposure earlier.

Williams stresses that even the ninth grade is important in the overall college picture because its one-fourth of the admissions criteria col-leges consider. Thats why Brookwood administrators encourage students to take the most difficult classes they can while still being successful.

Many students dont realize the importance of ninth grade, Williams said. Theyre looking for a well-rounded student one that can handle academic rigor, as well as be involved in their school and commu-nity.

By February, the college focus primarily shifts to ju-niors and younger students. If a senior has not yet taken a college entrance exam, theyre behind the power curve of many of their peers, said Gene Thomas, a representative from Florida A&M University who vis-ited Brookwood.

Theres a huge gap between the students that

are ready and the students that are not ready, Thomas said. Thats frightening for me because that will have a definite impact on crime. If youre not educated in America today, the prison system is waiting on you.

Thomas applauded Brookwood for inviting and encouraging younger students to take part in the fair because generally, counselors are failing stu-dents if theyre not exposed to post-high school op-tions. If parents are active in a students life, or if the student is potentially a first-generation college student, the leadership at the high school becomes even more important.

I dont know what the counselors are doing, he said. I see too many students who havent taken the test, and that to me is a crime.

Brookwood counselor Varieta Benjamin said the new changes to the SAT, for example, offer an opportu-nity for students to improve on critical thinking skills.

Most students are weak with critical thinking skills, and so that has to be em-phasized, she said. I think thats what theyre homing in on.

State and local Gateway tests have helped students become more analytical as they document their opinions, Williams said. Yet persuasive writing has come in handy for the sample questions Benjamin looked over.

College preparation has always been high at Brook-wood, Benjamin said, as the school tries to keep up with trends.

The states dual enroll-ment program to earn college credit, called Move On When Ready, and Ad-vanced Placement classes have become more popular and are growing in recent years, Benjamin said.

College admissions at the states flagship universities such as the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech

have led to higher grade point averages and six or seven AP classes for the average freshman entering school. Colleges are also looking for a third year of foreign language in high school, which is not re-quired to graduate but helps a college resume.

Its becoming more and more competitive as far as college admissions, Williams said. Thats

one of the things we try to emphasize, again, take the most rigorous courses pos-sible. But realize that ev-erybody else thats applied to that college, or almost everybody else, is doing the same thing. So youve got to make sure that youre doing your part to stand out. Be that

student that will be as suc-cessful in college as they were in high school.

Senior Joshua Blackwell said hes heard that taking AP classes and core classes like pre-calculus make for an easier transition to college. He expects to have four AP classes by gradu-ation.

Depending on what your major is, AP classes can knock out maybe a year of what you have to do, be-cause you already get those credits, he said. They really arent too hard if you put a little effort in, and they are college classes.

Think of four schools as possibilities, Benjamin said she tells students, including a dream school and at least

one that theyre confident they can get into.

Brookwood juniors C.J. Pate and Rhema West took part in the college fair because it allowed them to assess the landscape of colleges and look at whats available without having to leave their school.

Coming from Brook-wood, West said the bar to prepare yourself for college is already high.

Its already manda-tory that you have all these things, she said.

In some cases, like Pates, his mother told him in second grade that he would attend college, no matter what.

By Keith [email protected]

spotlight on

PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

communitygwinnettdailypost.comSECTION C SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

Eyes on the prize Schools emphasizing importance of college as early as possible

GWINNETT PUBLIC SCHOOLSCLASS OF 2015

Largest and most decorated class to date in Gwinnett, 83 percent of students who graduated in the Class of 2015 planned to attend college or post-secondary schools, and 85 percent of them planned to attend college in Georgia.

As of April, those seniors were offered nearly $155 million in academic, athletic and military schol-arships.

The scholarship breakdown was nearly $84.1 mil-lion for academics, more than $64.6 million for athlet-ics and nearly $6 million because of military appoint-ments. Those dont include the HOPE, QuestBridge, Broad or Gates Milleniums scholarships.

Mill Creek (799), Brookwood (795) and Norcross (788) had the largest classes, while overall, 2,671 students were considered honor graduates because they had a grade point averages of 90 or better.

See READINESS, Page 2C

MORE INSIDESchools hammer down details of teaching students skills in technology .......................3C

Learn about resources that will help your student afford a higher education ...............4C

Legislators break from the big decisions facing the future of education in Georgia ..............5C

Big changes coming next month for SAT testing .......................................................12C

Photo

Illustr

ation

: AJ A

rcher

Readiness

As soon as eighth grade hit, she gave me a college application, he said. She started fast.

Blackwell added that on the first day of school his senior year, teachers and administrators discussed college almost as second nature.

They just basically expect you to go to col-lege already, he said. In guided study, every week weve been like, Think about college, do this, start applications. Theyre really pushing it on us this year. Theyve been nudging at it.

For sophomore Zayne Freshley, the college pro-cess has begun.

They started talking about it in eighth grade, but I didnt really pay attention to it because I thought it was far away, he said. I started feeling a lot of pres-sure this year, taking the SAT, ACT, all that stuff.

Drake Russell, a regional recruitment coordinator at Columbus State University, visited Brookwood for the college fair and said in his eight years working for several colleges across the Southeast, more students are applying in the fall, which leaves the spring to look at scholarship and housing options.

He encourages students to visit schools in the fall because that will play a major role in the decision-making process.

Russell said about 20 students said they would attend an upcoming theater conference at Columbus State, one of the areas of campus that that school is known for around the state.

From Page 1C

Brook-wood High School stu-dents walk through a college fair earlier this month where representa-tives from 56 schools from around the country visited to discuss college op-tions. (Staff Photo: Keith Farner)

Pictured at left, Brookwood High School sophomore Zayne Freshley, left, talks with Drake Russell, a regional recruitment coordinator from Columbus State University, during a college fair earlier this month. Above, T-shirts and pennants sit on a table during the fair. (Staff Photo: Keith Farner)

spotlight on preparing for college2C SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2016 gwinnettdailypost.com

spotlight on preparing for college

States debate swapping computer coding for languages

TAMPA, Fla. Florida high school student Brooke Stewart would gladly swap two re-quired foreign language classes to become fluent in JavaScript or Python, the coding languag-es she uses to design computer games.

Lawmakers in her state have sparked national debate by considering whether to provide that option. A measure champi-oned by a former Yahoo execu-tive, who is now a Florida leg-islator, would allow students to substitute traditional foreign language studies for immersion in coding, the lingua franca of the technology era.

Enthusiasm for teaching coding to American students is widespread, with President Barack Obama in his latest weekly radio address calling for computer science to join the three Rs reading, writing and arithmetic. But many share concerns about do-ing so at the expense of global languages, arguing the com-puter algorithms do not equate to conversations.

Stewart, a 16-year-old high school sophomore in Tampa, said rethinking the definition of a language makes sense.

You can translate languages across the Internet through coding, but you cant do that without coding, she said.

Officials in Kentucky, Geor-gia, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington also have floated the notion of substituting foreign language studies with computer coding credits in recent years.

So far, however, few have adopted such measures.

Texas allows such a swap under a policy adopted in 2014 that is approved only through the current school year. State education officials have not

tracked how widely it has been used.

Oklahoma has permitted similar flexibility for more than a decade, but only because rural schools have struggled to hire instructors to teach global languages, said state officials.

We were not trying to equate the two at all, said Desa Dawson, director of world languages for the Okla-homa state education depart-ment.

Many states are recognizing coding credits within the sub-ject areas of math and science. CODE.org, a leader in the push for computer science educa-tion, favors that approach.

Spanish is used to com-municate to one another, said Cameron Wilson, vice president of government affairs at CODE.org, which has not taken a position on the Florida bill. A computer language is really only used to communi-cate to a computer on how to execute codes on a machine.

Comparing them represents a fundamental misunderstand-ing, he said.

CODE.org says 28 states and the District of Columbia allow computer science to be applied toward graduation require-ments, mostly in math and science.

The sponsor of the Florida

measure, which on Wednesday passed its third committee vote in the state Senate, defends his approach.

Democratic State Senator Jeremy Ring said his bill aims to elevate computer science in Florida, where students mostly take the subject as an elec-tive. Foreign languages are not required to earn a basic state diploma, but university-bound students need two credits.

Coding is a language, said Ring, who got the idea from his 14-year-old son. It is a global language, more global than French or German or Spanish, or for that matter even English.

It is too early to known whether his bill will pass as it now proceeds to the full Sen-ate. The Florida House is de-bating an alternative approach that would have a panel study the issue.

Coding is very sexy and very now, said Barmak Nassi-rian, director of federal policy analysis at the American As-sociation of State Colleges and Universities, which does not have a position.

He cautions against over-reaching.

Coding is arguably what welding was 100 years ago, he said. Lets not get carried away.

By Letitia SteinReuters

Obama proposes plans for Computer Science For AllPresident Barack

Obama earlier this year on a weekly radio ad-dress proposed a Com-puter Science For All initiative to give broader access to computer sci-ence for students in K-12 classrooms.

He sought $4 billion from Congress to ensure that students are com-petitive in the modern job market.

In the new economy, computer science isnt an optional skill its a ba-sic skill, right along with the three Rs, he said. Nine out of 10 parents want it taught at their childrens schools.

Its an issue that Obama first referenced during his final State of the Union address last month.

If the budget request is approved, the $4 billion would be rolled out over three years to any state that applies for the funds and has a well-designed plan to expand access to computer science cours-es, especially for girls and minorities.

School districts can also apply for grants that would come from a $100 million program to bet-ter serve more students, especially in underrepre-sented areas.

The White House has said about 25 percent of K-12 schools in the country, and 22 states, do not allow computer science courses to count toward high school graduation requirements.

In September, the Georgia Board of Edu-cation proposed add-ing three new computer science courses: Embed-ded Computing, Web Development and Game Design: Animation and Simulation, which would part of a core math, sci-ence or foreign language credit.

The courses would fall under the Informa-tion Technology Career Cluster Pathway.

In 2014, Gov. Nathan Deal recommended that the State Board of Education allow stu-dents to take a computer programming course to satisfy one of three core requirements for receiv-ing a high school di-ploma: math, science or foreign language.

Students already have access to five computer science courses that can replace a fourth math, science or foreign lan-guage credit.

We need computer science and programming in our public schools, State School Superin-tendent Richard Woods said in a press release. Skilled programmers, software developers and engineers are in demand in Georgia, but without a pipeline of skilled workers to fill those jobs, businesses will look outside Georgia to find the employees they need. We cannot afford to let our Georgia graduates miss out on those oppor-tunities. These computer science courses, which have been developed

with involvement from industry representatives in related fields, give Georgia students more chances to develop their knowledge and skills in this fast-growing field. These computer science courses not only expand opportunities for our stu-dents, but also are in line with my commitment to continue to expand the avenues for graduation.

Deal said preparing students to succeed in the modern workforce is a top priority of his administration, and

computing is one of the fastest growing fields in the country with average salaries nearly twice the national rate.

Training our students to fill these high-wage, in-demand positions is necessary for Georgia to maintain a world-class workforce, Deal said.

Nationally, less than 15 percent of high schools offered Advanced Place-ment computer sci-ence in 2015, and the demographics of those AP classes were not representative of the

student population, the White House said. Just 22 percent of students who took the AP exam in 2015 were girls, and 13 percent were black or Latino.

Administration of-ficials said they will dedicate about $135 million in existing funds, mostly from the National Science Foundation, to help train thousands of teachers and design new instructional materials for computer science classes.

White House officials

said it was the largest federal effort to date to expand computer science courses, and an attempt to accelerate efforts al-ready underway in many cities and states.

Thats what this is all about each of us doing our part to make sure all our young people can compete in a high-tech, global economy, Obama said. Theyre the ones who will make sure America keeps growing, keeps innovating and keeps leading the world in the years ahead.

From StaFF reportS

Creating tech-savvy students

In June, teachers from Discovery High School discuss ideas during a STEM workshop at Peachtree Ridge High School. (File Photo)

Two students study computer game design at Middleton High School in Tampa, Fla. (Reuters)

Visit us online at www.gwinnettdailypost.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2016 3C gwinnettdailypost.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2016 7C 6C SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2016 gwinnettdailypost.com

311910-1

You, the student. APPLY ONLINE TODAYwww.ggc.edu

WEMADECOLLEGEALL ABOUT

YOUWe literally built a college from the ground up, designed for students by students. We reimagined and revolutionized higher education to put you at its center. Our innovative dedication to student success makes a H-U-G-E difference for your future.

With small class sizes, you get a private college experience, at a state college price. Discover how much a four-year bachelors degree can do for you at www.ggc.edu.

Schedule a campus tour online at www.ggc.edu/tour

Hope ScholarshipA merit-based award available to Georgia

residents who have demonstrated academic achievement. A recipient must graduate from high school with a minimum 3.0 grade point average and maintain a minimum 3.0 cumula-tive postsecondary grade point average to re-main eligible. The scholarship provides tuition assistance to students pursuing an undergradu-ate degree at a HOPE Scholarship eligible college or university in Georgia. A seven-year limit exists for students first receiving the HOPE Scholarship during the 2011-2012 aca-demic year or later.

The Hope awards a portion of standard tuition at a public institution and $1,910 per full-time semester at a private institution, or $1,274 per quarter at a private institution.

Zell Miller ScholarshipStudents are eligible if they meet rigor re-

quirements and are a designated valedictorian or salutatorian, or they must have a 3.7 high school GPA in core curriculum courses and a 1,200 combined score on the SAT or 26 com-posite score on the ACT.

The Zell Miller Scholarship awards full standard tuition at a public institution, or $2,110 per semester or $1,407 per quarter full time at a private institution.

Helping Educate Reservists and their Offspring Scholarship

Helping Educate Reservists and their Off-spring, or HERO, Scholarship provides as-sistance to members of the Georgia National Guard and U.S. Military Reservists, their chil-dren and spouses, who were deployed overseas on active duty service, on or after February 1, 2003, to a location designated as a combat zone.

Georgia Military College StateService Scholarship

Georgia Military College State Service Scholarship Loan Program is a service cancel-able loan program created to provide outstand-ing students with a full two-year scholarship loan. The student must agree to serve in the Georgia National Guard for a period of four years to complete service repayment (two years while attending GMC and two years after graduation).

Georgia Public Safety Memorial Grant

Public Safety Memorial Grant provides as-sistance to the dependent children of Georgia public safety officers who were permanently disabled or killed in the line of duty. Funds may be used toward the cost of attendance at eligible colleges or universities in Georgia.

John R. JusticeThe John R. Justice Prosecutors and De-

fenders Incentive Act of 2008 was passed by Congress to encourage qualified individuals to enter or continue employment as prosecutors and public defenders. The Georgia Student Fi-nance Authority is the designated state agency

responsible for administering this program. Applicants applied to GSFA based on the programmatic criteria set forth by the United States Department of Justice.

Scholarship for EngineeringEducation Service Cancelable Loan

Scholarship for Engineering Education Program provides financial assistance to Georgia residents attending an eligible private postsecondary institution and enrolled in an engineering program of study approved by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accrediting Board of Engineering and Technology. The purpose of the program is to attract and grow the number of qualified engineers in Georgia. In return, students agree to work for a period of time after graduation in an engineering-related field in Georgia.

Scholarship for EngineeringEducation for Minorities Service Cancelable Loan

In an attempt to attract diverse engineer-ing scholars in the future, the Scholarship for Engineering Education for Minorities offers financial assistance to create qualified workers in Georgia.

Created last year, MSEE is a service cancel-able loan available to upperclassmen at eli-gible state colleges that can be used for tuition, room and board, or other educational expenses. In return, students agree to work in Georgia after graduation in an engineering-related field for a reduction in the loans balance.

Available for programs approved by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Tech-nology, participating universities include:

Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia Southern University University of Georgia Kennesaw State University Mercer UniversityFor more information, contact Brian Moore,

Executive Director, Scholarship for Engineer-ing Education for Minorities Service Cancel-lable Loan, at 770-724-9247.

Move On When ReadyMove On When Ready Program is a dual

credit enrollment program for eligible high school and home study students who wish to earn postsecondary level coursework for credit toward both high school and college credit requirements. The program is offered dur-ing the fall, winter, spring and summer terms of the school year, and may cover the cost of standard undergraduate tuition, mandatory fees and a book allowance.

Students need to complete the MOWR online application. Students in a home study program must complete the MOWR paper ap-plication.

Student Access Loan ProgramStudent Access Loan Program is a 1 per-

cent interest loan program designed to assist undergraduate students enrolled at a public, private or technical college or university who have a gap in meeting their educational costs. Students who attend an eligible USG or private postsecondary institution have a maximum an-nual limit of $8,000 and have service cancel-lation options available to those who work in select public service sectors or STEM fields.

Students who attend an eligible TCSG postsecondary institution have a maximum an-nual limit of $3,000 and have a loan discharge

option available to those who graduate from their program of study, for which the loan was received, with a minimum 3.50 cumulative postsecondary grade point average.

Tuition Equalization GrantTuition Equalization Grant provides grant

assistance toward educational costs to Georgia residents enrolled at an eligible private col-lege or university. Students must be enrolled full time in an undergraduate program of study leading to an undergraduate degree

University of North Georgia Military Scholarship Loan Program

University of North Georgia Military Schol-arship Loan Program is a service cancelable loan program that provides full scholarships to enable outstanding Georgia students, interest-ed in pursuing a military career, to attend the University of North Georgia. Loan recipients agree to serve in the Army National Guard for eight years (four while enrolled at UNG and four after graduation).

University of North Georgia ROTC Grant and ROTC Grant for Future Officers

University of North Georgia ROTC Grant and ROTC Grant for Future Officers provides grant assistance toward the cost of education by encouraging Georgia residents to attend the University of North Georgia and participate in the Reserve Officers Training Corps program and promotes students to military leadership positions upon graduation.

Sources: IRS, Georgia Student Finance Commission

A recent survey by LendEDU found that there is about $1.2 trillion in outstanding student loan debt in the United States and seven in 10 graduates have some form of student loan debt. The average student has about $30,000.

Thats according to the independent marketplace for student loans and student loan refinancing, which surveyed 477 un-dergraduate and graduate students who are males and females and were federal and private student loan borrowers.

Arguably more alarm-ing was that the survey found that many of the respondees knew little or nothing about the re-pay-ment process, the differ-ence between unsubsi-dized and subsidized and

current interest rates.Our results are star-

tling and frankly dis-turbing, a post by Nate Matherson said on the LendEDU website.

The issue has become a widespread crisis across the country that personal finance authors Dave Ramsey and his daughter Rachel Cruze addressed in the book Smart Money, Smart Kids, that was published in 2014.

Cruze wrote that student loans recently surpassed credit cards in total debt owed, and graduates will carry the loans around for

years or even decades. Because theyre federally backed, they are not elimi-nated in a bankruptcy.

The short-term gain of student loans doesnt even compare to the long-term pain your student could end up with, Cruze wrote. Theres no doubt: This is a generational cri-sis, and, as a parent, you need to be ready.

The path to avoid student loans begins with saving years before a stu-dent enters college, they wrote, choosing a school thats affordable and likely close to home or

in-state, working while in college and seeking grants and scholarships.

While gacollege411.org has plenty of resources for scholarship options, students are encouraged to think creatively for scholarships. Start looking

community organizations and major companies that offer scholarships.

Look in local communi-ties where in Gwinnett, for example, several elec-tric membership corpora-tions that offer scholar-ships.

YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and even Duct Tape are among compa-nies that offer scholar-ships.

Look below for more information on scholar-ship opportunities and savings plans.

spotlight on preparing for college

Ways to avoid adding to $1.2 trillion student loan debt balanceBy Keith [email protected]

Keep your education affordable

SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS

ESAYou can contribute up to $2,000 per

year per child if your annual income is less than $200,000, and your money grows tax free when used for education expenses. Its been called an education version of the Roth IRA.

529 PlanSimilar to an ESA, but with a higher

limit, a 529 plan is operated by a state or educational institution, with tax advantages and potentially other incen-tives to make it easier to save for college and other post-secondary training for a designated beneficiary, such as a child or grandchild.

Contributions can not exceed the amount necessary to provide for the quali-fied education expenses of the beneficiary. Contributors should be aware of potential gift tax issues if the amount contributed by any one contributor during a year to a given beneficiary, together with other gifts to that beneficiary exceed $14,000.

Coverdell Education SavingsAccount

A savings account that is set up to pay the qualified education expenses of a designated beneficiary. Contributions to a Coverdell ESA are not deductible, but amounts deposited in the account grow tax free until distributed. Generally, the maximum contribution per year, per child is $2,000.

SAVINGS PLANS

The short-term gain of student loans doesnt even compare to the long-term

pain your student could end up with. Theres no doubt: There is a generational crisis, and, as a parent, you need to be ready.

Rachel Cruze, co-author of Smart Money, Smart Kids

A recent LendEDU survey found that seven in 10 gradu-ates have some for of student loan debt, which averages about $30,000. (Special Photo)

4C SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2016 gwinnettdailypost.com

spotlight on preparing for collegeEducation reform commission vote set for next year

For now, leaders under the Gold Dome have hit the pause button about voting on major changes to education across Georgia.

My budget next year will include funding to implement my recom-mendations and those of the Education Reform Commission, Gov. Na-than Deal said in January before a joint session of the state House of Rep-resentatives and Senate. This will provide ample time to vet the full report. It is important that we get this right.

In December, follow-ing a year-long review of Georgias education sys-tem, the Education Reform Commission submitted its final report to Deal. That followed months of discus-sions and meetings of the commission, which has more than 30 members. One of the key parts of the commissions report was a new funding formula to replace the three-decade-old Quality Basic Educa-tion formula, and how that relates to paying teachers.

The additional time gives educators, business leaders and legislators a chance to review the 85-page report that calls for changes that would incorporate a merit pay component.

The committee also called for more money for K-12 education and Georgias pre-kindergarten program. The governor earmarked an additional $300 million for K-12 dur-ing the fiscal year starting

July 1 and $358 million for pre-K, including $26.2 million for pay raises for pre-K teachers.

Deal also is proposing three percent raises for K-12 teachers and state employees.

Deal also set aside $58.3 million to cover the Move on When Ready dual enrollment program where students earn col-lege credit while in high school.

Questions have been raised about how that performance will be mea-sured, from test scores, to Title I schools and special education classes.

Sid Chapman, president of the Georgia Association of Educators, has said that none of the commission

members were currently practicing teachers.

Chapman said changes to the teacher compensa-tion formula and state salary schedule would make already low teacher morale even worse.

The new proposed formula will lock in the deep cuts that have been made to the budgets of our Georgia public schools over the last few years under the current formula, he said. While these cuts have occurred, more responsibilities have been placed on the plates of teachers. And while we hold out hope that things will get better now that the economy is improving, the proposed funding formula takes away that hope. The

children and educators of this state will bear the burden of this decision for years to come unless we make adjustments now to fully fund our schools. This is not how you attract

and retain quality teachers.

Gwin-nett Coun-ty Public Schools CEO/Superin-tendent J. Alvin

Wilbanks and Gwinnett legislators Rep. Brooks Coleman and Sen. Fran Millar all participated in the commissions work. Wilbanks said the $27 million that GCPS is

expected to receive would allow for some areas to be addressed that havent been in recent years.

The pay for perfor-mance part of the teacher pay discussion could be useful, Wilbanks has said, in the case of filling, for example, an advanced math teacher vacancy.

It will allow for us to address some market sensitivity of some of the areas that you need, particularly as we focus on STEM, he said.

Former University of Georgia President Charles Knapp, who chaired the commission, said the re-port responds to the gover-nors charge and provides bold recommendations that will better prepare students

for life and the workforce.I am grateful for

the tireless work of the commission members on behalf of Georgias stu-dents and for Dr. Knapps leadership throughout this process, Deal said. At its outset, I charged the com-mission with providing recommendations to im-prove education, increase access to early learning programs, recruit and retain high-quality instruc-tors and expand school options for students and families. I look forward to reviewing their recom-mendations as to how we might achieve these goals.

It has been an honor and pleasure for the members of the commis-sion to serve Gov. Deal and the people of the State of Georgia in this capac-ity, Knapp said. I believe this report responds to the governors charge to comprehensively review the status of preschool, primary, and secondary education in Georgia and to provide bold recom-mendations that will better prepare our students for life and the workforce in the 21st century.

The formula includes a quarter of a billion dollars of additional new money allocated for K-12, a 3 per-cent jump from this years budget, which was more than $8 billion. Under the current formula, the state salary schedule is based on years of experience and education degrees.

The new proposal would require each school system to have its own schedule, while the state would offer a template including mini-mum requirements.


J. AlvinWilbanks

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2016 5C gwinnettdailypost.com

3122

76-1

In December, following a year-long review of Georgias edu-cation system, the Educa-tion Reform Commission submitted its final report to Gov. Nathan Deal, who said in January a vote would come next year. This will provide ample time to vet the full report, he said. It is im-portant that we get this right. (File Photo)

spotlight onpreparing for college

Next month bringing major changes to SAT

Next month a college admissions test will roll out its first overhaul in more than 10 years.

The College Board will implement major changes to the SAT, the college admissions test widely accepted by colleges and universities. It will be the first set of major changes since 2005.

The new version, taken in print and by computer, will have three sections: evidence-based reading and writing, math and the essay. The essay will give a separate score, while the scale will be 1600 down from the current maximum score of 2400.

There also wont be a penalty for wrong an-swers.

The test will be three hours, and an additional 50 minutes for the op-tional essay.

Research will guide our efforts to enhance the work students already do in their classes in grades six through 12. And that research shows that mastery of fewer, more important things matters more than superficial cov-erage of many, College Board President David Coleman said in a press release.

Other changes include SAT words will no longer be vocabulary terms that students may not have heard before and are likely not to hear

again. Instead, the SAT will focus on words that students will use con-sistently in college and beyond.

The math section will draw from fewer top-ics that evidence shows contribute most to student readiness for college and career training. The exam will focus on three essential areas: problem-solving and data analysis, the heart of algebra, and passport to advanced math. Students can study these core math areas in depth and have con-fidence that they will be assessed.

Students will be asked to analyze both text and data in real world con-texts, including iden-tifying and correcting inconsistencies between the two. Students will show the work they do throughout their classes by reading science ar-ticles and historical and social studies sources.

Each exam will include a passage drawn from the founding documents of the United States or the great global conversa-tion they inspire. Texts will include the Declara-tion of Independence, the Federalist Papers and Letter from a Birming-ham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr.

The College Board also announced that it would partner with the nonprofit Khan Academy to provide free test preparation ma-terials for the redesigned SAT. It also said every

income-eligible student who takes the SAT will receive four fee waivers to apply for college to as-sist low-income students.

What this country needs is not more tests, but more opportunities, Coleman said. The real news today is not just the redesigned SAT, but the College Boards renewed commitment to delivering opportunity.

Results from a recent survey by Kaplan Test Prep survey said the changes are affecting the advice high school coun-selors are giving their stu-dents about which college admissions exam to take the current SAT, new SAT or ACT. The survey polled 172 high school counselors.

One third (33 percent) said students should take more than one exam, which would help them figure out which of the three would most help them get into their choice colleges.

Far fewer are rec-ommending single test options: Six percent of counselors are telling stu-dents to take the current version of the SAT early to avoid the changes, six percent are recommend-ing students wait until after the SAT changes in March to take the test and 16 percent are advising students to take the ACT instead.

The remaining percentage say the SAT changes are not affecting their advice to students.


12C SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2016 gwinnettdailypost.com

312277-1

312322-1Visit INK and make your classroom come alive!

Interactive Neighborhood for Kids offers:

* Discounted Group Rates! Order Lunches! Arts & Crafts! Pottery!

999 Chestnut Street Suite #11 Gainesville, Ga 30501 770.536.1900 [email protected]

***

312321-1 www.BethlehemChristianAcademy.org

Not Just A School,But A HomeFor Tomorrows Leaders.

Pre-K2-12thGrade

CollegePreparatory

School

2016 Open House Dates:February 23

March 22April 19

KinderCare Learning Centers

Call one of our 5 Gwinnett locations to schedule a tour.

Children attending our programs showed strong performance in areas predicting school success.Centers provide a variety of healthy meals and snacks with nutritional ingredients planned by a registered dietitian.Enrichment programs like Math, Phonics, Music and Spanish provide children at all levels with new skills and confidence.

www.kindercare.org

FREE REGISTRATION WITH THIS AD!!!

312283-1

6 weeks to 12 years Partnering with Families for over 40 years.

3122

82-1

Helping your child grow in character and faith while being successful in the modern world.

www.SugarHillChristian.org

678-745-4121 4600 Nelson Brogdon Blvd., Sugar Hill, GA 30518

Rankedinthetop2%forITBSnationwide

ASCI&SACSAccredited

12months-8thGrade

BeforeandAfterCareAvailableforK4-8thGrade

AffordableExcellence

MothersMorningOut,Preschool

NEW ODYSSEYSUMMER ADVENTURES 2016

Field Trips Include: Georgia Aquarium Sky Zone Bowling Stone Mountain Malibu Grand Prix Medieval Times Fernbank and much more!

Come preview the fun duringSpring Break!

ITS NOT TOO EARLYto be thinking about

SPRING & SUMMER CAMPS!

3122

81-1 2013 MILLCREST DRIVE. HOSCHTON

770.904.00043378 HAMILTON MILL ROAD. BUFORD678.714.9555

3122

80-1

OPEN HOUSESATURDAY, 2/20

10AM -1PM

Private MontessoriEducation for Children

Ages 15 Months12 Years

GDP021416C01GDP021416C02GDP021416C03GDP021416C06_C07_DTGDP021416C04GDP021416C05GDP021416C12

spring education guide - 2016

Documents