The Partnership commissioned an external audit of the state Department of Education's new proposed curriculum in 2004. The audit had the full support and cooperation of State School Superintendent Kathy Cox.
Phi Delta Kappa International of Bloomington, IN, conducted the review in April while the standards were under revision. PDK was charged to answer four questions: 1. Are the draft Georgia Performance Standards of high quality? 2. Are they valid and rigorous? 3. Are they usable? 4. How can they be improved? The answers were positive and recommendations were provided to strengthen the curriculum. A similar review in 2001 found "responsibility for education was fragmented and distributed across several administrative units in the state."
The in-depth 167-page report included two detailed recommendations: 1. Resolve the need for common focus and philisophical framework for the Georgia Performance Standards, and develop a long-range governance plan that meets curriculum needs. 2. Continue to revise, develop and refine the curriculum design of the Georgia Performance Standards to assure adequate scope, quality, intellectual rigor, and credible validity.
Audit team leader Dr. William Poston, Jr., Professor Emeritus, Iowa State University, said the curriculum revision the state has been undertaking "is a huge project that has accomplished much and will continue to accomplish more." For an update on the new Performance Standards, visit the Department of Education's Web site.
To view the audit click here.
