On this page you will find stories about good things going on in Georgia's public education system. You will also find ideas from other parts of the U.S. These are successful ideas that could possibly be used in other communities. If you have a good news story, share it with us so other education stakeholders might consider adopting/adapting it for their use. Drop a note to Communications Director Bill Maddox.   The information included here does not imply Georgia Partnership endorsement for either the ideas or the organizations responsible for the ideas.  Here's another source for Best Practices. Georgia's Leadership Institute for School Improvement now has a "Promising Practices" page on their Web site. Here you will find stories that describe school teams' success in setting and attaining improvement goals. Check it out!

In 123-page guide, state offers schools tips on stopping bullies. Massachusetts is aggressively pursuing the fight against bullying.  They have published a guide that attempts to dispel myths about bullying and provide tips and statistics to help teachers and principals stop bullying. The advice is often simple.  Check out the guide. (May 2008)

This Atlanta teacher has found an exciting math program... car racing! It's fast and furious, dangerous and loud. What other reason does anyone need to watch auto racing on TV? For some Alpharetta High students, there is another good justification: It is homework. Jane McAlister, a math teacher at the north Fulton school, wanted to create a seminar class that would be fun as well as educational. Her brainchild: "Gentlemen Start Your Engines," a 14-week course with 21 students.  Here's the story. (April 2008)

Texas parent program is increasing involvement.  Using what they call the Side by Side program, administrators in this Texas school district seem to have found a program that has consistently raised parent involvement both inside and outside the schools. Check it out. (April 2008)

Parent, student conferences.... at home.  A school system in Indiana is trying something new when it comes to conferences.  Instead of the traditional parent visit to their child's school to meet with the teacher, students are conducting the conferences with their parents at home.  You be the judge. (April 2008)

Kid's marketplace teaches important lesson - don't buy puppies.  This Fredericksburg, VA elementary school had a great idea on how to teach children about money and how to manage it.  The Kid's Marketplace program at Robert E. Lee Elementary included stores manned by volunteers in an attempt to teach personal finance.  The kids loved it.  Here's the story in the local paper. (April - 2008)

Here's an idea on how to tackle the achievement gap.  Let the kids call the plays.  Kevin MacDonald, principal at T. R. Smedberg Middle School in Sacramento, Calif., started the Achievement Gap Club two years ago. At the first meeting, MacDonald entered the room with six binders of research and threw them on the floor. He then said to the students "these experts don't have the answers. The gap has existed for 50 years. Why don't you tell me what we need to do?" That approach seems to be working according to this article. (Public Education Network - PEN - March 2008)

BORING! Ha!  Take that flash cards!  A Delaware elementary school teacher has taken the old falsh card concept and added some Karate moves that have caught the attention of students.  Wearing the belts that signify achievement is a badge of honor.  Here's the Associated Press story. (PEN - March 2008)

If they can hear better, they can learn better.  According to this story by Washington Post columnist Jay Matthews, many Washington D.C. area schools are using microphones and amplification systems in the classrooms.  Teachers are embracing them and saying the cost is worth it. (March 2008)

Students at Johnston Elementary are helping and learning at the same time.  -  Bookmarks.  That seems pretty simple, doesn't it.  The 4th grade students at this Cherokee County school are using that idea to help Hurricane Katrina kids and are learning business practices at the same time.  Read on! (March 2008)

Making science and math fun!  -  There's more and more focus on improving our students' interest in tough subjects like science and math.  The Barrow County System's Math, Science and Literary Night seems to have done just that.  It put the F*U*N in learning.  Here's the story.  (March 2008)

Turning around poor math scores  -  Students at this California elementary school were struggling with math but since adminisitrators began a new program imported from Singapore, the scores are on the rise.  Read the story.  (March 2008)

'Turning Point' program a hit at Lanier Primary  -  This program is the school's newest technological tool and they love it.  Teachers use it to help children with their dictionary skills.  The program has other uses as well.  Here's a story in the Bryan County News.  You can reach the school at 912-626-5020. (March 2008)

Math Turns to Playtime  -   Former DeKalb County teacher Eugenia Duncan develped a math card game after she discovered her students would rather trade traditional schoolwork for a good card game just about anytime.  Children seem to love it.  And the best part?  They are learning math!  Here's the story.  She is now marketing the cards for $4.99 a pack at www.declaremath.com. (February 2008)

The F.B.I. has come to Mattie Lively Elementary School  -  When fourth grade teacher Lourie Owens participated in the Georgia Partnership's 15th Annual Bus Trip Across Georgia, she was looking for ideas to take back to her Statesboro school.  She found that idea at Muscogee County's Rigdon Road Elementary School:  Fathers Being Involved (F.B.I.).  She took a great idea and expanded it and now has a group of dads who are making a difference in the lives of many children.  The program has achieved great results in the short time it has been implemented and other schools in the system may start similar programs. You can reach her at Mattie Lively, 706-748-2000. (February 2008)

Idea fair helps new teachers  -  For the past several years the Muscogee County School System has held an "Idea Fair" for teachers.  This is an opportunity to share best practices across the system.  It is especially good for new teachers.  Contact the school system for details (706-748-2000).  Here's a short story in the local paper. (February 2008)

Looking, finding another way to reach students  -  When a student was not performing well, a Texas teacher sought another way to reach the struggling boy.  Art was the connection and now the student is doing much better.  SchoolsAttuned offers alternative ways to teach.  Here's the story. (January 2008)

There's more to after school programs than dodge ball.  -  Kindergarten through fifth grade students at McEver Elementary School in Gainesville are making their after-school time much more valuable than it used to be.  The school recently got the OK (and the money) to institute a string-music program.  Principal Catherine Rosa understands the value of arts in education.  Here's the story.  Call her at 707-534-7473 for details. (January 2008)

Welcome to Carmel!  -  Transferring to a new school can be a harrowing experience for students.   One elementary school in Cherokee County has taken a teacher's idea to make the transition much more pleasant.  Here's the story.  Contact school counselor (the idea person) Elizabeth Ray or Principal Dr. Sharron Hunt, at 770-926-1237. (December 2007)

Guest readers encourage literacy -  A new program in Henry County is emphasizing the importance of reading.  Leaders from the community are donating their time and it seems to be making an impact on the students.  Here's the story. (December 2007)

Helping the graduation rate  -  Georgia's low graduation rate is the focus of school systems across the state.  Many schools are coming up with ideas that might improve their bottom line numbers.  Here is an idea used in Floyd County. (December 2007)

Department of Education site might help  -  The What Works Clearinghouse web site collects, screens, and identifies studies of effectiveness of educational interventions (programs, products, practices, and policies). (November 2007)

A novel way to learn vocabulary words  -  A California educator came across this simple idea when he was looking for a way to better familiarize kids with words.  P.E. t-shirts now are embalzoned with various words and definitions.  The idea seems to be working as reported in the Los Angeles Times (free registration may be required to access the article). (November 2007)

A program to fight bullies  -  This story out of Houston, Texas might provide some ideas in fighting this age old problem.  Here's the story (free rgeistration is required to access the article).  (November 2007)

Male role models are available  -  Students in Henry and Clayton Counties can find a positive male role model from one of several groups in their schools.  Here's a story with more details published in the Henry Daily Herald.  Five Clayton County elementary schools now have active organizations all with the same goal:  Provide a positive role model to male students at a time when they are making character decisions.  Gary Lomba, assistant principal at Lee Street Elementary founded one group and would be happy to provide details (770-473-2815). (November 2007)

A very "exciting initiative"  -  That is what Kenneth Proctor, Newton County School System co-director of elementary curriculum, says about the system's "Teachers as Leaders" program.  The program builds the participants' abilities to facilitate the professional learning needed to impact their schools and assure Adequate Yearly Progress goals mandated by the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act are met.  Here's the story.  Proctor can be reached at 770-787-1330. (November 2007)

Saving young African-American male students  -  Too many young African-American males were not finishing school and were headed for trouble in this community.  Thanks to a collaboration between the Savannah/Chatham County Schools and Savannah Technical College, a program is underway that is pointing young men to roads of success instead of a life of trouble.  Here's the story. (November 2007)

Planting the college seed early  -  Is second grade too early to start children thinking about attending college? No, according to some folks at Jones Elementary School near Gainesville.  They contacted the University of Georgia as well as other area colleges about a tour for the children.  Read the story about their idea that is easily adaptable across the state.  Like the idea?  Need details?  Here's the school's number: 770-534-3939. (November 2007)

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