By Kathy Cox
9:09 p.m. Monday, March 15, 2010
Georgia law requires the Legislature to approve a balanced budget, which I believe is very wise. In these difficult economic times, I do not envy the task they have before them.
But, just as we should not saddle the next generation with our debt, we also should not take away the opportunity for our kids to receive an education that prepares them for their 21st-century world.
We are fortunate to have some of the best teachers and school leaders in the nation (Georgia has had a National Principal of the Year for three years in a row). They have been laser-focused on their mission of improving student achievement, and I am proud to see so much progress being made.
But I maintain that drastic and severe cuts hurt teachers and students and negatively impact our progress. If there are further cuts to school system funding, then we can’t expect things to be business as usual.
While I fully recognize the severity of our revenue shortfall, I am not in favor of additional cuts to public k-12 education.
Recently, the House and Senate asked that we discuss budget options if revenues were less than the governor’s original FY 11 budget submission.
When looking at such a bleak scenario, we told members of the General Assembly it is unrealistic to think you can truly retain 180 days of quality instruction for students if all 10 days of pre- and post-planning for teachers are cut.
Expecting teachers to begin and end a school year on the same day students do is like a restaurant manager asking staff members to show up at the same time the first customer is to be served. That manager knows that if dinner service starts at 5 p.m. you better be willing to pay your chef to come in for preparation a few hours earlier. And when have you ever seen the staff leave the restaurant at the same time as the last customer? That restaurant would not be successful. Similarly, teachers need preparation time to be successful.
Do I want to cut the number of instructional days for students? Of course not.
But as a former classroom teacher, I know we must provide teachers time to prepare so they can give our students their very best. Our kids deserve it.
I appreciate the diligence of the legislators and the seriousness of their exploration of all the issues and all the options. I am hopeful that the Legislature will prioritize this budget to fund one of our primary constitutional obligations — educating Georgia’s k-12 students.
Providing for our students now is an investment in our state’s current and future success. If we want to continue making progress, then we must be willing to invest in Georgia’s greatest resource — our children.
=============
Kathy Cox is Georgia’s superintendent of schools.
Find this article at:
http://www.ajc.com/opinion/more-cuts-to-k-373163.html
Showing posts with label Kathy Cox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kathy Cox. Show all posts
Monday, March 22, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Cox Northlake Visit:
State Ranked for Big Bucks; DeKalb Policy Vacuum; Impassioned Montessori Plea
By Tom Doolittle
This is a belated report, but it may add some perspective to the statewide CRCT testing allegations that arose since the Cox January visit.
On January 29, State Schools Superintendent Kathy Cox visited the Northlake area—Mercer University’s Conference Center; Evansdale Elementary School and Lakeside High School. On the one hand, Cox’s presentation to the Dunwoody-Chamblee Parent Council (DCPC) at Mercer looked like one she would have made anywhere in the state. She came to talk about Georgia’s competitive position for a share of $4 billion “Race to the Top” funds from the Obama Administration. As a bonus, she delivered some spontaneous strong medicine for DeKalb’s stakeholders’ relations with each other and its school system.
The DeKalb remarks were spontaneous, as Cox took questions (comments, mostly) during a refreshing give-and-take while moving through her prepared presentation. Cox, after enduring comments about local budgetary plans and priorities in the midst of her higher-level strategic presentation, summed up the education leadership challenge in this bifurcated (“multi-furcated”?) urban/suburban county. Stopping the audience cold, the statewide official told an audience that included about thirty DCLP parents, “the problem in DeKalb is that you don’t trust each other”—meaning that stakeholders and communities throughout the county need to relate to each other so that that time and energy can be focused on “policy”, rather than pet issues.
Former DeKalb School’s Chairman William (Brad) Bryant, introduced Cox, complimenting the audience in advance as one that would demand a presentation with “some meat on it”—high level policy information and room for give-and-take. He explained afterward, “when I learned that Superintendent Kathy Cox was planning a visit to two of our DeKalb schools, it seemed like an excellent opportunity to have her visit with a group of engaged… parents (and) discuss education policy issues on the national and state level….”. Bryant, now an appointee to the state Board of Education, is recognized by some as representing the Governor’s office consulting with Clayton County’s school board in its remedial efforts in 2008.
Cox’s “Race to the Top” readiness report had some encouraging news, but the 90-minute session might have gone a bit differently if it had been ten days later. The DCPC January meeting predated the now-infamous potential fundraising and economic development disaster over public school testing irregularities.
It’s anybody’s guess whether the test flap will jeopardize the federal money, but from what Cox had to say, we are (or were) well prepared to receive the money. You see, “preparation” is one of the Feds primary criteria for awarding “racing” (as in ready, set, go) dollars. This program is not your grandfather’s government hand-out—the awards are focused on a review of a state’s long-term strategy for improvement and end results—“end” being post-secondary education and get this, professional placement.
According to Cox, here’s where we stand:
(1) Georgia is cooperating with a national consortium with several states signed on to set standards at a progressively higher standard. Note: there is no “federal” body, nor “federal” standard that can subsume a state’s independence.
(2) Georgia’s Performance Standards are a hybrid, formed from those in Massachusetts, Singapore and Japan, each being highly ranked worldwide in specific areas.
(3) Georgia is ranked very highly to receive Federal funds via President Obama’s “Race to the Top”. It is ranked third “Most Competitive” among what is classified as Tier 2 states (by population)—up to $400 million of the $4 billion total.
(4) Georgia’s graduation tests are subject to federal peer review and the science portion has received a federal “green light”.
(5) “Project Express”, exam preparation for re-taking social studies graduation tests has tripled “success rates”.
(6) All goals are “P-20”, from Pre-K to Post-Grad, meaning that all grades are taught to expect to do post-graduate work, whether at a 4-year university of a technology college.
(7) Georgia DOE, University System and Technical School System are working together seamlessly. Linked data now track secondary school graduates’ performance in post graduate institutions.
(8) Georgia has the second most technology schools of all states for post-graduate education.
(9) Technology education is free of charge with a Hope Scholarship available for anyone enrolling in a school (i.e., no B-average requirement). Technology schools may actually meet the requirement for future jobs better than four-year universities do in terms of total “trained” workforce.
(10) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce ranks Georgia the top Reform state, based on technology standards and performance.
DeKalb Superintendent Crawford Lewis attended the meeting. While leaving, Lewis mentioned his scheduled “weekend chats” about the 2010 budget constraints and priorities. At least one group, from the Huntley Hills Montessori program, took Lewis’ cue to express its concern for the possible elimination of the “choice” program.
Huntley Hills, Briar Vista and Midway elementary schools have Montessori options for students in their home districts. Huntley Hills parent, Amy Holmes-Chavez said that the elimination of the program would save the school system very little money relative to total cuts required, while dramatically affecting the neighborhoods that are served. In fact, the Chamblee area parent says it’s possible to run the program at a lower cost than traditional classrooms.
Holmes-Chavez wrote later in an e-mail, “Montessori has…worked among students across all income levels, across ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and across learning abilities.” Although the program is in neighborhood schools, the choice advocate said that there has always been room for kids that have their own transportation from other districts.
Huntley Hills Elementary School is a Title 1 school in the Chamblee area. Apparently, according to Chavez, more neighborhood families are choosing the public school now. She said the school has made AYP for the past seven (7) years, adding, “we've built a strong school with a rich diversity across ethnic groups.”
By Tom Doolittle
This is a belated report, but it may add some perspective to the statewide CRCT testing allegations that arose since the Cox January visit.
On January 29, State Schools Superintendent Kathy Cox visited the Northlake area—Mercer University’s Conference Center; Evansdale Elementary School and Lakeside High School. On the one hand, Cox’s presentation to the Dunwoody-Chamblee Parent Council (DCPC) at Mercer looked like one she would have made anywhere in the state. She came to talk about Georgia’s competitive position for a share of $4 billion “Race to the Top” funds from the Obama Administration. As a bonus, she delivered some spontaneous strong medicine for DeKalb’s stakeholders’ relations with each other and its school system.The DeKalb remarks were spontaneous, as Cox took questions (comments, mostly) during a refreshing give-and-take while moving through her prepared presentation. Cox, after enduring comments about local budgetary plans and priorities in the midst of her higher-level strategic presentation, summed up the education leadership challenge in this bifurcated (“multi-furcated”?) urban/suburban county. Stopping the audience cold, the statewide official told an audience that included about thirty DCLP parents, “the problem in DeKalb is that you don’t trust each other”—meaning that stakeholders and communities throughout the county need to relate to each other so that that time and energy can be focused on “policy”, rather than pet issues.
Former DeKalb School’s Chairman William (Brad) Bryant, introduced Cox, complimenting the audience in advance as one that would demand a presentation with “some meat on it”—high level policy information and room for give-and-take. He explained afterward, “when I learned that Superintendent Kathy Cox was planning a visit to two of our DeKalb schools, it seemed like an excellent opportunity to have her visit with a group of engaged… parents (and) discuss education policy issues on the national and state level….”. Bryant, now an appointee to the state Board of Education, is recognized by some as representing the Governor’s office consulting with Clayton County’s school board in its remedial efforts in 2008.
Cox’s “Race to the Top” readiness report had some encouraging news, but the 90-minute session might have gone a bit differently if it had been ten days later. The DCPC January meeting predated the now-infamous potential fundraising and economic development disaster over public school testing irregularities.
It’s anybody’s guess whether the test flap will jeopardize the federal money, but from what Cox had to say, we are (or were) well prepared to receive the money. You see, “preparation” is one of the Feds primary criteria for awarding “racing” (as in ready, set, go) dollars. This program is not your grandfather’s government hand-out—the awards are focused on a review of a state’s long-term strategy for improvement and end results—“end” being post-secondary education and get this, professional placement.
According to Cox, here’s where we stand:
(1) Georgia is cooperating with a national consortium with several states signed on to set standards at a progressively higher standard. Note: there is no “federal” body, nor “federal” standard that can subsume a state’s independence.
(2) Georgia’s Performance Standards are a hybrid, formed from those in Massachusetts, Singapore and Japan, each being highly ranked worldwide in specific areas.
(3) Georgia is ranked very highly to receive Federal funds via President Obama’s “Race to the Top”. It is ranked third “Most Competitive” among what is classified as Tier 2 states (by population)—up to $400 million of the $4 billion total.
(4) Georgia’s graduation tests are subject to federal peer review and the science portion has received a federal “green light”.
(5) “Project Express”, exam preparation for re-taking social studies graduation tests has tripled “success rates”.
(6) All goals are “P-20”, from Pre-K to Post-Grad, meaning that all grades are taught to expect to do post-graduate work, whether at a 4-year university of a technology college.
(7) Georgia DOE, University System and Technical School System are working together seamlessly. Linked data now track secondary school graduates’ performance in post graduate institutions.
(8) Georgia has the second most technology schools of all states for post-graduate education.
(9) Technology education is free of charge with a Hope Scholarship available for anyone enrolling in a school (i.e., no B-average requirement). Technology schools may actually meet the requirement for future jobs better than four-year universities do in terms of total “trained” workforce.
(10) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce ranks Georgia the top Reform state, based on technology standards and performance.
DeKalb Superintendent Crawford Lewis attended the meeting. While leaving, Lewis mentioned his scheduled “weekend chats” about the 2010 budget constraints and priorities. At least one group, from the Huntley Hills Montessori program, took Lewis’ cue to express its concern for the possible elimination of the “choice” program.
Huntley Hills, Briar Vista and Midway elementary schools have Montessori options for students in their home districts. Huntley Hills parent, Amy Holmes-Chavez said that the elimination of the program would save the school system very little money relative to total cuts required, while dramatically affecting the neighborhoods that are served. In fact, the Chamblee area parent says it’s possible to run the program at a lower cost than traditional classrooms.
Holmes-Chavez wrote later in an e-mail, “Montessori has…worked among students across all income levels, across ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and across learning abilities.” Although the program is in neighborhood schools, the choice advocate said that there has always been room for kids that have their own transportation from other districts.
Huntley Hills Elementary School is a Title 1 school in the Chamblee area. Apparently, according to Chavez, more neighborhood families are choosing the public school now. She said the school has made AYP for the past seven (7) years, adding, “we've built a strong school with a rich diversity across ethnic groups.”
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Kathy Cox to chat with ELPC
A message from
Emory Lavista Parent Council
Brad Bryant, Georgia State School Board Member,
4th Congressional District
Invites DeKalb County Parents
to a dialog with
The Honorable Kathy Cox
Georgia State Superintendent of Schools
including updates on Georgia's "Race to the Top" application
Friday, January 29, 2010
10:00am - 11:30am
Mercer University, Atlanta Campus
Atlanta Administration Conference Center Auditorium, 2nd floor
Mercer University North Entrance
2930 Flowers Road South
DIRECTIONS TO MERCER UNIVERSITY (ATLANTA CAMPUS)
Traveling north on I-85
From downtown Atlanta, take Exit 94 and turn RIGHT onto Chamblee-Tucker Road. At the second traffic light, turn RIGHT onto Mercer University Drive and then an immediate RIGHT on to Flowers Road.
Traveling south on I-85
From outside the perimeter, take Exit 94 and turn LEFT onto Chamblee-Tucker Road. At the third traffic light, turn RIGHT onto Mercer University Drive and then an immediate RIGHT on to Flowers Road.
Traveling on I-285 north/west
Take Exit 34 and turn LEFT onto Chamblee-Tucker Road. Proceed for 1.2 miles, than turn LEFT onto Mercer University Drive and then an immediate RIGHT on to Flowers Road.
Traveling on I-285 east
Take the Chamblee-Tucker Road Exit, turn RIGHT onto Chamblee-Tucker Road. Proceed for 1.2 miles, than turn LEFT onto Mercer University Drive and then an immediate RIGHT on to Flowers Road.
DIRECTIONS TO ATLANTA ADMINISTRATION CONFERENCE CENTER
After turning onto Mercer University Drive, take an immediate RIGHT onto Flowers Road (Flowers Road completes a circle around the campus with Mercer University Drive). The Atlanta Administration Conference Center will be the first Mercer entrance you come to on your LEFT – 2930 Flowers Road South.
==================
To receive our notices, send an email to EmoryLavistaParentCouncil@gmail.com
or visit our web page www.emory-lavista.org
4th Congressional District
Invites DeKalb County Parents
to a dialog with
The Honorable Kathy Cox
Georgia State Superintendent of Schools
including updates on Georgia's "Race to the Top" application
Friday, January 29, 2010
10:00am - 11:30am
Mercer University, Atlanta Campus
Atlanta Administration Conference Center Auditorium, 2nd floor
Mercer University North Entrance
2930 Flowers Road South
DIRECTIONS TO MERCER UNIVERSITY (ATLANTA CAMPUS)
Traveling north on I-85
From downtown Atlanta, take Exit 94 and turn RIGHT onto Chamblee-Tucker Road. At the second traffic light, turn RIGHT onto Mercer University Drive and then an immediate RIGHT on to Flowers Road.
Traveling south on I-85
From outside the perimeter, take Exit 94 and turn LEFT onto Chamblee-Tucker Road. At the third traffic light, turn RIGHT onto Mercer University Drive and then an immediate RIGHT on to Flowers Road.
Traveling on I-285 north/west
Take Exit 34 and turn LEFT onto Chamblee-Tucker Road. Proceed for 1.2 miles, than turn LEFT onto Mercer University Drive and then an immediate RIGHT on to Flowers Road.
Traveling on I-285 east
Take the Chamblee-Tucker Road Exit, turn RIGHT onto Chamblee-Tucker Road. Proceed for 1.2 miles, than turn LEFT onto Mercer University Drive and then an immediate RIGHT on to Flowers Road.
DIRECTIONS TO ATLANTA ADMINISTRATION CONFERENCE CENTER
After turning onto Mercer University Drive, take an immediate RIGHT onto Flowers Road (Flowers Road completes a circle around the campus with Mercer University Drive). The Atlanta Administration Conference Center will be the first Mercer entrance you come to on your LEFT – 2930 Flowers Road South.
==================
To receive our notices, send an email to EmoryLavistaParentCouncil@gmail.com
or visit our web page www.emory-lavista.org
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