Welcome to the Georgia Partrnership Media Room.  Here you will find stories and press releases detailing Partnership programs and activities.  We also hope to make this an education resource for you.  Over the next several days (April 15), we will be adding items to the page that we think will be helpful in your education reporting.

Media representatives are invited to contact the Partnership's Communications Director Bill Maddox, for more information or to arrange interviews with the organization's President Dr. Steve Dolinger and/or Policy and Research Director Susan Walker. 

He is available during business hours at his office number, 404-223-2464, or on his cell phone, 404-376-9055.  The Partnership office number is 404-223-2280.  Click here to send Bill an E-mail message.

The next Partnership Board meeting will be held May 6, 10 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., at the Loudermilk Center next to the United Way building in downtown Atlanta.  After the short business meeting there will be a presentation on "Raising Achievement and Closing Gaps in Georgia."  Details are available here.  The meeting is open to the media.  Contact Bill Maddox (Email above) for registration information.

Second Annual Media Symposium a Success:  More than 25 education reporters gathered in Atlanta Jan. 23 for the Georgia Partnership's second annual Media Symposium.  The event was held at Georgia Public Broadcasting's  headquarters.  Sponsored by Turner Broadcasting, Cox Communications and GPB, the event featured a presentation by Partnership President Dr. Steve Dolinger on the "Economics of Education"; the formal release of the Top Ten (Education) Issues to Watch in 2008 by Partnership Policy and Research Director Susan Walker; and a presentation by House Minority Leader DuBose Porter. 

A working lunch was held with guest speakers Dana Tofig, DOE communications director, and Georgia's 2008 Teacher of The Year Emily Jennette. 

A panel discussion - featuring, House Education Committee Chairman Brooks Coleman, and Senate Education and Youth Committee Chair Dan Weber - followed.  State School Superintendent Kathy Cox was scheduled to participate in the panel discussion but had to cancel due to budget hearings that ran late at the State Capitol.  Coleman and Weber discussed what's ahead for education in the 2008 Legislature. 

Here is the session as videotaped by Georgia Public Broadcasting:

Part 1 - Partnership President Dr. Steve Dolinger; Partnership Policy and Research Director Susan Walker; Georgia House Minority Leader DuBose Porter.

Part 2 - Department of Education Communications Director Dana Tofig.

Part 3 - Georgia 2008 Teacher of The Year Emily Jennette; Georgia House Education Committee Chair Brooks Coleman; Senate Education and Youth Committee Chair Dan Weber

Many favorable comments were received on the evaluation sheets collected at the conclusion of the event.  The bottom line:  reporters are encouraging this event become a tradition at the start of each new year.

Questions/comments may be directed to Communications Director Bill Maddox.  

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