by Kimberly Sawatka | Nov 6, 2013
There are many pathways that will lead students to success later in life. We just have to get them started. Courtesy: Experience
The dream of an abounding future for folks in Georgia obliges a closer look at the current pathways for our young ones to reach success as adults. College attendance is shifting from a privilege for a small group, to a growing necessity for the majority of us. Sources such as the Lumina Foundation project that by 2025 60% of all jobs in America will require an Associate’s degree or higher. Currently only 36% of working Georgians have reached this mark.
In addition to preparing more students for traditional college settings, it is imperative that we build new pathways that lead directly to thriving jobs. Technical colleges, apprenticeships, public-private partnerships and other training programs remain underutilized resources that could provide new possibilities for student outcomes. To create a seamless transition from high school to postsecondary education, and on to careers, we must remove barriers to opportunity now.
The Georgia Center for Opportunity is excited to launch its College and Career Pathways Working Group this November. With a mission to discuss the issues that bar students from postsecondary success, GCO has assembled a cohort of experts across the education space to lend their experience and insights to creating sustainable solutions.
Key Focus Areas of College and Career Pathways
- Defining college and career readiness
- Teacher quality in Georgia
- Use of virtual learning for college and career readiness
- Identify important components of the transition to postsecondary education
- Impact of the rising cost of college attendance
At GCO we look forward to creating a new dialogue for college and career readiness in Georgia. Finding solutions for the problems that threaten to keep more Georgians off the path to middle class by middle age will undoubtedly require that we draw support not only from experts, but also schools, communities and at home. What part can each of us take to adequately prepare youngsters to make their dreams a reality? Let’s share the work of making tomorrow a little peachier!
by Kimberly Sawatka | Oct 9, 2013
As Breakthrough fellows at the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO), experiences in the community provide unique insights and personal touches to the research they lead. Recently Michael, Yenipher and Aundrea had the opportunity to visit Ivy Preparatory Academy, an all- girl charter school in our backyard here in Norcross, GA.
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- Students at Ivy Prep practice their “ones” and “twos”. Courtesy: Ivyprepacademy.org
Michael:
From the moment we arrived I could tell Ivy Prep is devoted to one powerful mission – developing college-ready scholars. And not just for any college – this school strives to prepare its students to be scholars at our nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities.
Touring the campus, friendly student ambassadors directed us from classroom to classroom where we noticed that each time a teacher asked a question, instead of raising their hand or avoiding eye contact with the teacher, students would raise one or two fingers indicating that they either knew the answer (“ones”) or were unsure of it (“twos”). This method of student participation was just one unique aspect of the Ivy Prep culture we became familiar with during our tour.
Culture is a critical component in creating the unique setting at Ivy Prep. A week prior to starting sixth grade students learn to raise one or two fingers when responding to a question, what to wear and what not to wear, how they are to behave transitioning between classes, and so forth. This week of training, known as “Culture Week”, sets the tempo for the remainder of their educational experience at Ivy Prep. Additionally, the culture prepares students to thrive in alternative classroom settings. For high schoolers at Ivy Prep, an integrated technological approach– or blended learning model– allows students to complete all of their courses online with the exception of math and language arts providing more freedom to work at their own pace.
Yenipher:
While Touring Ivy Prep, there were posters of different colleges and universities, motivational quotes and pictures of role models everywhere. Interacting with a group of girls waiting outside a classroom, they spoke well of their school experience, were well disciplined, educated and motivated to go to college.
The visit solidified the importance of educational attainment. Parents sometimes underestimate the large percentage of time children spend in school, the importance of the quality of their education and the environment that shapes their development. It can take extra steps to find the right school for your child, but it can make a difference of a lifetime.
Through the example of Ivy Prep, it seemed many more students in Georgia can benefit from opportunities such as these. Many parents are just not aware of Ivy Prep or similar schools and how it can transform a child for the better. Parents need to value educational attainment in order for their child to do so. One values educational attainment by making sure that the school their child attends produces quality results and instills principles the parent believes in.
Aundrea:
Within the beautiful facilities of Ivy Preparatory Academy, it touched me as a woman of color to see such a diverse group of young ladies being directed to “Believe. Achieve. Succeed”–the school’s foundational motto. Likewise, the evident culture of college at Ivy Prep, attentive participation within the classrooms, and stylishly uniformed students bustling about all served as a great introduction to charter schools for me.
More than 2.3 million students now attend charter schools across the U.S., and these innovative models are quickly becoming staple education options in communities all around Georgia. For parents exploring alternatives to a traditional public schools, theses charter school settings can be positive learning environments for kids. Additional time in the classroom, blended learning models, and the single gender setting–which was adopted to give girls a chance to just be themselves–are some of the ways Ivy Prep aids their students in becoming successful scholars. And all without steep tuition costs!
Still, it is important to remember charter schools face obstacles similar to traditional public schools–such as constricted funding and surpassing state academic standards. If you are considering alternatives to traditional school settings it is important to be thorough in your search for finding the right learning environment for your child. There are many charter schools in the Metro Atlanta Area, so look for schools that fit your child’s interest or offer special programs. Take a tour of a school you are interested in to see the learning model in action. Investigate what success the school has had by checking out testing scores and college placement results. Or ask others in your community about their experience with charter schools. These were all important lessons from our day with the Ivies.
by Kimberly Sawatka | Dec 31, 2010
During the 2017 legislative session school choice legislation, specifically Education Savings Accounts (ESA) legislation, has been introduced into the Senate Education Committee but not allowed to move through the committee for a vote. Please let committee chairman, Sen. Lindsey Tippins, know that Georgia parents support school choice and support Education Savings Accounts.
For more information about ESAs, click here.
Capitol Office
303-A Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: (404) 657-0406
Fax: (404) 657-0459
District Information
139 Midway Road
Marietta, GA 30064
Phone: (770) 424-2700
Fax: (770) 424-2777
by Kimberly Sawatka | Sep 26, 2010
Meet Healthy Families Initiative Certified Trainer Janae Combs, MA, LPC, NCC
Janae is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 16 years of experience counseling adults, couples, families and adolescents. She has worked in multiple capacities ranging from psychiatric hospitals, residential facilities, support services, placement agencies and currently private practice.
Over the course of the next few months, Janae will be facilitating the “Sex Lies and Relationships” course for both adults and youth.
“The relationship courses offered through the Healthy Families Initiative fit right into the methods I use to help my clients. I would love to see the programs expand statewide, so more people can take advantage of the quality curriculum offered.”
Believing that most people instinctually know what is best for them
and their situations, Janae uses a growth-oriented approach in helping her clients create positive life changes. These changes will inevitably enhance and build on their existing strengths, insights, and skills while they cultivate new ones.
“Sometimes you don’t know where life is going to lead you, but it’s best to be prepared for the journey along the way and your destination.”
Many Georgia families are struggling relationally and financially. Divorce is common, and cohabitation and unwed childbirth are on the rise. Even many families that remain intact struggle to cover basic living expenses. You might not know where to begin to help.
The Healthy Families Initiative (HFI) is a community-based collaboration between individuals, churches, and businesses focused on transforming relationships and families in the Norcross and Peachtree Corners area. Our goal is to increase healthy relationships, family formation and stability, and decrease childbearing outside of marriage.
For more information about the Healthy Families Initiative (HFI) or to register for FREE classes, visit https://foropportunity.org/initiatives/hfi/
