Media Room

Welcome! Whether you write for a daily newspaper or an education issues blog, or report for a broadcast news organization, you will find information here about the organization's programs and materials as well as current activities and issues analysis.  We hope you will also find the web site an excellent education resource and visit often.  Please call on us if you need a source/resource on a number of education issues. 

Next Event: Media Symposium (January 20, 2012). The agenda is being finalized now and should be confirmed by December 23.  See below for a report on last year's event.   Questions should be sent to Bill Maddox .

Most Recent Press Releases
Admittedly, we are not a news release making machine so you won't find a long list here but we will do our best to post them as we produce them. 

Georgia Partnership Awarded Goizueta Foundation 'REACHES' Grant (May 19)

Interviews/Background Conversations
The Partnership offers two of the most knowledgeable educators in the state.   Dr. Steve Dolinger (Partnership president), who served for seven years as the Fulton County superintendent of schools before joining the Partnership in 2003, is often available whether you are looking for a quote or just need to work through a complicated issue. Dr. Dana Rickman, our policy and research director, joined us in June after serving as policy director for the Annie Casey Foundation, Atlanta Civic Site.  She is also available for specific or general education discussions.

Latest interview: Partnership President Steve Dolinger joined Teresa McCartney, Georgia Department of Education's Race to the Top administrator, for a discussion of the topic on Georgia Public Broadcasting's Prime Time Politics with host Scott Slade.  Dolinger appeared with Calvine Rollins, president of the Georgia Association of Educators, on an earlier program to discuss general education topics.  Here is that discussion.  Both presentations are followed by a panel of journalists also discussing education issues.

Fifth Annual Media Symposium
The Symposium was held Friday, January 14 at Georgia Public Broadcasting here in Atlanta.  Considering that many reporters had to cancel their attendance because of the snow and ice storm, we were pleased with the turnout.  Twenty media representatives participated along with several other guests representing various education-related organizations.

Videotape Report
Here is the report.  It is broken down into three segments.

Session I
Top Ten Issues to Watch in 2011 - Susan Walker, Georgia Partnership for excellence in Education
Georgia's Public Education System - A Status Report - Dr. John Barge, State Superintendent of Schools

Session II
Striding Toward Excellence - Georgia's Race to the Top - Erin Hames, Governor's Office and Teresa MacCartney, Georgia Department of Education
Keeping Count - Graduation Rate Calculations - Sue Derison, Forsyth County Schools

Session III
Georgia Department of Education Update - Matt Cardoza, Communications Director
The Teachers' Perspective - Pam Williams, Georgia's 2011 Teacher of the Year
School Funding: Fundamentals & Forecasts - David Sjoquist, Georgia State University and Angela Palm, Georgia School Boards Association
Under the Gold Dome - Legislator Panel - Rep. Margaret Kaiser (D), member of thwe House Education Committee, and Sen. Fran Millar (R), Chairman of the Senate Education and Youth Committee

Stories from the Symposium:
There's talk of merit pay for teachers through Race to the Top program - Jeff Bishop, The Times-Herald
Suggestions to ease HOPE's woes vary - Jason Wermers, Augusta Chronicle
State superintendent focuses on efficiency - Donnie Fetter, Columbia County Times

Gold Dome 2011, no vouchers, no money, less HOPE - Maureen Downey, Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Get Schooled Blog
Teacher of the Year: Performance pay raises heart rates - Maureen Downey
Senate Ed committee chair: We have overstated grad rate - Maureen Downey
New DOE chief: We will do more with less in Georgia - Maureen Downey
State schools chief expects tough budget - Heather Darenberg, Gwinnett Daily Post
'Do more with less,' schools told - Athens Banner-Herald

Agenda

Top Ten Issues to Watch in 2011 - Susan Walker, Georgia Partnership

Starting New - Dr. John Barge, State Superintendent of Schools

Race to the Top - Teresa MacCartney, Georgia DOE
Erin Hames, Gov. Deal's Office

Graduation Rate Calculations - Sue Derison, Forsyth County Schools

Lunch - Reporters' time and Matt Cardoza, Georgia DOE, and Pam Williams, Georgia Teacher of the Year

Funding - Angela Palm, Georgia School Board Association                                               David Sjoquist, Georgia State University

Legislator Panel - Rep. Margaret Kaiser (D)
Sen. Fran Millar (R)