atlantapublicschools.us

About AtlAntA Public SchoolS 2009-10

Student enrollment 47,789Elementary schools 55Middle schools 16Single-gender academies 2High schools 25Nontraditional programs 2Charter schools 12Evening school programs 2total APS learning sites 101

Ethnic Distribution of StudentsAfrican-American 80.4%Caucasian 11.5%Hispanic 3.7%Multiracial 1.4%Asian .8%American Indian/Alaskan 1.9%

Teacher/student RatioKindergarten 1:15Grades 1-3 1:17Grades 4-5 1:23Grades 6-8 1:20Grades 9-12 1:23Computer/Student Ratio 1:2

Students eligible for free and reduced priced meals 77.62%

Number of 2010 graduates 2,158

Scholarships offered to class of 2010 $129 million+

Number of Title I Schools 96

FY 11 General Fund Budget $589 million

APS hiGhliGhtS

• APS received a three-year, $10 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support the next phase of the district’s school reform programs, the Effective Teacher in Every Classroom (ETEC) Initiative.

• APS students demonstrated thelargest gains of all states and participating Trial Urban District Assessment (TUDA) school districts between 2002 and 2009 on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading tests.

• APS earned national attention for fiscal management. The Association of School Business Officials International honored the district for its 2009-10 budget. APS also earned a certificate of achievement — the highest recognition in government accounting — from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report.

• APS opened the Early Learning & Literacy Resource Center at Dunbar Elementary, providing an educational foundation for children between the ages of six weeks and 10 years of age.

AtlAntA boArd of EducAtionLaChandra Butler Burks, Chair, District 5Cecily Harsch-Kinnane, Vice Chair, District 3Brenda J. Muhammad, District 1Khaatim Sherrer El, District 2Nancy M. Meister, District 4Yolanda K. Johnson, District 6Courtney D. English, At-Large Seat 7Reuben R. McDaniel, III, At-Large Seat 8Emmett D. Johnson, At-Large Seat 9

Journey to

Excellence2009-10 Annual Report on

Atlanta Public Schools

Snapshot of the 2009-10 Fiscal Year

APS works to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars. The 2009-10 budget of $646.5 million came from three sources: local taxes (78.8%), state revenue (20.3%), and funds

from investment interest and rental of facilities (0.9%). Seventy percent of the district’s budget is allocated to instruction and student achievement.

Here is a breakdown of 2009-10 revenue sources and appropriations:

Our innovative learning programs, nationally recognized best

practices and excellent teachers are making a difference in the lives of our K-12 students. We are committed to ensuring that all students graduate from our schools ready for success in college and life, and prepared to build a stronger Atlanta.

Journey to Excellence 2009-10 Annual report on Atlanta Public Schools was produced by the Office of Communications. For the latest news on Atlanta Public Schools, visit our Web site: www.atlantapublicschools.us.

ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 130 TRINITY AvENUE, S.W. | ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303 | 404.802.3500

Atlanta Public Schools is becoming one of thetop-performing urban school systems in America.

Social networking: Follow APS on Twitter.com @APSupdate for quick news tips, links to blog posts or media coverage.

Youtube: Watch short, fun and informative videos about the APS community. visit www.YouTube.com and type in “APSupdate” for our APS channel.

APS Today: This television show introduces viewers to the students, educators and parents who are dedicated to improving achievement. Watch new shows each month at 9:30 p.m. on PBA Tv Channel 30.

WPbA 30: This television station provides metro Atlanta more than 70 hours of award-winning, educational programming each week.

APS 22: Cable subscribers in the city of Atlanta can access this station for around-the-clock education programming.

WAbE: Atlanta’s National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate offers 24-hours of news, music and community affairs.

fY10 APProPriAtionS

Instruction* School Administration Services Charter Schools Student Transportation General Administration Services Business Services Maintenance and Operations Central Support Services Unfunded Pension

*instruction includes: •SpecialEducation •PupilServices •MediaServices •AlternativeandVocationalEducation

fY10 GEnErAl fund rEVEnuE SourcEStotAl: $646,500,000

Local Taxes – $509,550,000 (78.8%)

State QBE* – $131,300,000 (20.3%) (*Includes federal stimulus funds)

Other Revenue – $5,650,000 (0.9%) (Investment Interest, Rental of Facilities)

78.8%

59%

71%

6%

6%

2%2%

2%

10%

6%

7%

0.9%

20.3%

Making the Grade

Atlanta Public Schools serves as a model for urban school reform.

Over the past decade, our students have met or exceeded expectations on the Georgia Department of Education’s Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT), Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT/GHSWT), End of Course Tests (EOCT) and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

2010 crct In 2010, APS implemented best-in-class testing protocols to ensure the integrity of the administration of the CRCT. Here are a few highlights from the 2010 CRCT:

• 84percentofallstudentsmet or exceeded state standards in reading

• 85percentofallstudentsmetor exceeded state standards in English/ language arts

• 70percentofallstudentsmet or exceeded state standards in mathematics

GhSGt/GhSWt — chArtinG A PAth to collEGE: Students made significant performance increases writing, English/language arts and science.

• 86percentofstudentspassed the English/language arts portion

• 85percentofstudentspassed the math portion

• 83percentofstudentspassed the science portion

• 71percentofstudentspassed the social studies portion

• 93percentofstudentspassed the writing portion

nAEP — StudEnt GAinS outPAcE othEr diStrictS: Also referred to as the Nation’s ReportCard, NAEP is an independent assessment of student performance conducted by the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES). Student performance on these tests in 2009 reaffirms the district’s overall progress on state assessments.

• Grade4mathscores have improved by 10 points since 2003

• Grade8mathscores have improved by 15 points since 2003

About the APS Class of 2010• Graduates earned more than $129 million in academic and athletic scholarship offers, up from $92 million earned by the class of 2009.

• twenty-nine students earned 2010 Gates Millennium Scholarships – more than any other school district in the nation.

• Students made significant strides on the Georgia High School Graduation Writing test, with 93 percent passing the writing portion and 85 percent passing the math portion.

Journey to Excellence

Atlanta Public Schools is committed to ensuring that all students graduate

ready for success in college and life, and prepared to build a stronger Atlanta. The next phase of our journey to excellence focuses on three key areas: student achievement, instructional excellence and community engagement.

StudEnt AchiEVEmEntSuccess at APS can be measured by student achievement on national and state standardized tests.

• Student gains outpace other districts: The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also referred to as the Nation’s Report Card, is an independent assessment of student performance conducted by the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES). Fourth- grade reading scores have improved by 14 points since 2002, while eighth-grade reading scores have improved by 14 points since 2002. Student performance on these tests reaffirms the district’s overall progress on state assessments.

• more students chart a path to college: The district’s graduation rate has increased dramatically, from 39 percent in 2002 to 69 percent in 2009. APS high school graduates from the class of 2010, which comprises 2,158 students, earned a record $129 million in academic and athletic scholarship offers, compared to $92 million in scholarships awarded to the class of 2009 and $64 million awarded in 2008. Also, a record 29 APS students earned 2010 Gates Millennium

Scholarships — more than any other district in the nation.

inStructionAl ExcEllEncE APS has launched signature programs that serve as national models for urban school reform.

• APS will place a highly effective teacher in every classroom: Research has shown that an effective teacher is the single most important in-school factor in closing the student achievement gap. APS has developed the Effective Teacher in Every Classroom Initiative to develop, encourage and reward highly effective teachers. A three-year, $10 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation also will help the district provide professional development tools, track progress and reward outstanding teachers.

• APS has redefined the middle school experience: The Middle School Transformation Initiative provides students with tools to create a smooth transition from elementary to middle school, paving the way for success in high school.

• careers in math and science are well within reach: The district’s Math & Science Initiative combines a rigorous curriculum with top-notch professional learning. Funded by a $22 million grant from the GE Foundation, APS students receive a 21st century learning experience that sets the foundation for careers in math, science and engineering.

• Graduation helps APS students achieve dreams: With more than a decade in Atlanta Public Schools, Project GRAD (Graduation Really Achieves Dreams) is helping more students chart a path to

college. About 470 APS Brumley-GRAD Scholars are pursuing higher education at 89 colleges across the country.

• APShastransformedthehighschool experience: Through the High School Transformation Initiative, every APS high school provides smaller, more personalized learning environments with specific academic themes. This unique approach has dramatically improved the district’s graduation rate.

communitY EnGAGEmEntStrong partnerships build strong schools. Support from corporations, civic organizations and non-profit foundations has resulted in playgrounds for schools, grants for teachers, internships for students and other valuable contributions.

• Anearlyfoundation: In the first public- private partnership of its kind in metro Atlanta, APS opened the Early Learning & Literacy Resource Center at Dunbar Elementary. Funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation, the Atlanta Housing Authority and other partners, the facility provides an educational foundation for children between the ages of six weeks and 10 years of age.

•Partners serve as principals: Each year, APS offers business and community leaders, such as former Mayor Shirley Franklin, a chance to shadow principals for a day. This popular event builds a strong bond between schools and Atlanta’s diverse community of leaders.

As superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, I am proud of the strides

we have made to improve student achievement, establish instructional excellence and build lasting community partnerships. APS is committed to preparing all students for success in college and in life. This annual report outlines our work to create programs and initiatives that help us accomplish that vital task.

To compete on a global playing field, instructional excellence is no longer an option — it is a necessity. APS sets and maintains high standards for the teachers, administrators and faculty who shape our young minds each day. Fortunately, a vast network of civic and corporate partners, such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the GE Foundation, share our belief in the students of APS. Each has generously invested time and resources to further our journey.

The next phase of our decade-long reform model provides an increased focus on recruiting, training and supporting our teachers.

Research also shows us that all students can excel in the presence of a highly effective teacher. For that reason, APS welcomes the best and brightest to join our ranks as we shape the next generation of leaders. They deserve nothing less, and I am honored to serve the 47,789 students of Atlanta Public Schools.

Finally, we take pride in the fact that the district’s 2009-10 budget earned a Meritorious Budget Award from the Association of School Business Officials International. But we take greater pride in knowing that, even during difficult financial times, APS maintains its focus on classroom instruction. Again, our students deserve nothing less.

As we begin a new school year, APS welcomes the opportunity to cultivate an atmosphere where all students can meet and exceed expectations. Thank you for being part of this exciting journey.

Sincerely,

beverly l. hall, Ed.d.Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent

StAY connEctEdbookmark your way to APS to get the latest news, straightfromthesource.

APS Web site: Add www.atlantapublicschools.us as a favorite Web site for district initiatives, news releases, video clips and photo galleries.

School Web sites: Learn about school events, contact your child’s teacher, or learn how to get involved. Type www.atlantapublicschools.us/(insert your school’s name), or check out the “Schools” section of the district Web site.

The Atlanta Educator: This award-winning publication highlights students, teachers, administrators, parents and community partners who ensure APS’ journey to excellence.

talk up APS: This continually updated blog serves as a digital newsletter with the latest news, links to media coverage, photo galleries, videos and more. visit www.TalkUpAPS.com.

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Atlanta Public Schools: Preparing a 21st Century Workforce

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