I'm not really sure what these figures mean, surely there not indicative of Richmond County.
Despite low marks for student achievement, education in South Carolina and Georgia is ranked among the nation's best, according to a report released Wednesday.
The overall state grades of B- outperformed the national grade of a C on the annual Quality Counts report, which graded states using six indicators. No state received an A on the report, which is produced by Education Week magazine's Editorial Projects in Education Research Center.
No. 11 South Carolina and No. 9 Georgia scored well in standards, assessment and accountability, earning an A and A-minus, respectively.
Both states, however, scored poorly in student achievement, with Georgia earning a D+ and South Carolina managing a D. But both were also recognized for areas that should lead to greater student achievement. South Carolina, for instance, led the nation in efforts to improve teaching.
Authors of the report explained the disparity between the grades for student achievement and the overall grades.
"We found compelling evidence that states that have enacted more rigorous policies in the area of standards, assessments and accountability did see larger increases in student achievement over time," Project Director Christopher B. Swanson said during a national telephone news conference Wednesday. "However, you get a different picture when you take a snapshot at a particular point in time."
Historically low-performing states are turning to policy as a way to improve their schools, he said, using West Virginia as an example.
"Right now you're seeing kind of the inverse relationship -- strong policy and weak achievement," Mr. Swanson said. "If you track this forward, in a couple years what you very well might see is the fruits of these policies."
The same can be said for Georgia and South Carolina, according to education officials.
"A good curriculum is the foundation of a good education," Georgia Department of Education spokesman Dana Tofig said, citing the positive marks in this area.
Improving education is a "process" and doesn't "happen overnight," he said. State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox believes if the state stays the course, improvements will continue to be made.
"We won't be satisfied until we have the highest achievement in the country," Mr. Tofig said. "We're definitely going in the right direction."
The report also cited success in narrowing the achievement gap and work with low-income children. Although not the best in the country in this area, he said, Georgia scored better than Connecticut, which is often touted as having top-notch education.
South Carolina Superintendent Jim Rex welcomed the report's high assessment of his state, but also acknowledged the need for increased student achievement.
"We know we have too many students performing below expectations and failing to graduate from high school in four years, and we've got to improve performance at a faster rate," Mr. Rex wrote in a news release. "But Quality Counts reports continue to show that we've laid the foundation in the right way -- by supporting good teaching, raising standards and accountability and connecting what kids learn in school to the real world of work."
Reach Greg Gelpi at (706) 828-3851 or greg.gelpi@augustachronicle.com.
QUALITY COUNTS 2008
Education Week magazine's Quality Counts report grades states in six categories. The overall grade is the average of the scores for the six indicators. A look at the grades for South Carolina, Georgia and the nation:
SOUTH CAROLINA
Chance for success C
K-12 achievement D
Standards, assessments and accountability A
Transitions and alignment B-
The teaching profession A-
School finance C
GEORGIA
Chance for success C
K-12 achievement D+
Standards, assessments and accountability A-
Transitions and alignment B
The teaching profession B
School finance C+
NATION
Chance for success C+
K-12 achievement D+
Standards, assessments and accountability B
Transitions and alignment C
The teaching profession C
School finance C+
Source: Quality Counts 2008
FOR MORE on the Quality Counts report, including interactive features and detailed state-by-state scores, log on to: www.edweek.org">style="bold">www.edweek.org.
75.9 = C
NATION'S OVERALL SCORE
80.2
GEORGIA'S OVERALL SCORE
80.4
SOUTH CAROLINA'S OVERALL SCORE
ON THE WEB
The complete report can be viewed at www.edweek.org. The Web site also has interactive features that accompany the report and more detailed scores for each state.
Comments
I'm not really sure what these figures mean, surely there not indicative of Richmond County.
How many years has the nation been in the "education" business and why is it that nobody noticed a bad foundation leads to poor performance? Every time I see one of these 'education' department reports, I feel there's a scam involved. The unintended consequences of all of the experiment and social engineering that's tried (at our children's expense) has lowered the standards for education in this country. What's wrong with teaching the 3 r's with narrow parameters for behavior? It worked for years and was a lot easier to budget. This report comes across like the old cliche, "the operation was a success, but the patient died".
If you are looking for a well rounded education package, it doesn't exist. First off, you have the good grades for basics, but SC and GA suck at academics due to a large lack of student acheivements. (I.E. extra curricular activities such as learning any type of trade), in which these scores do NOT show. So why are our two states still coming up in the 40 worst schools compared to national averages?? Simple, it is because they are only educated for basic skill labor, nothing extraordinary to take our students on any type of promising career unless they leave state to get the "Job of their choice"
Honest, nice positive attitude. Any effort to work and help being offered or just criticism?
Didn't know body say anything about Richmond or Columbia County they are talking about Georgia as a whole.
Until you have 100% participation and 100% reporting in every state on national assessments based on national standards and a national curriculum, you will never be able to trust any of these education rankings of states. There is so much disparity in the ways that states report scores and assessments that these rankings are useless. No, they are worse than useless, they are at least misleading, and in most cases, outright lies. Is education in Georgia and South Carolina perfect? No, but it sure a heck isn't the worst. Also, Ms. Elliot, you need to get your facts straight: Georgia has two major tracks of study - College Prep and Career-Technical. Georgia has made major strides in improving education, and I'm tired of people putting us down. Be part of the solution...Vote for candidates that are trying to build up education, not tear it down. Take an active role in your child's education. Volunteer in your children's schools.
I have a daughter in 4th grade and a son in pre-k. My daughter has a tremendous amount of homework every night, but I am not sure this has anything to do with learning. I wonder what they do in class everyday. Everything is focused on attendance and passing the CRCT. It seems the education system in Georgia is more concerned about their passing grade rather than the education of the children. My daughter will start private school in 6th grade, as will my son when he gets there. Or, perhaps Richmond County should do what the city of Marietta is doing by turning all of their schools into Charter schools, which would be run more by a board of parents. This national grade means nothing, but is an indicator of numbers manipulated by the schools and the system. It certainly doesn't measure quality of education.
Justius, What? You have any factual data?
Parents must understand that the "teaching" process begins in the home. Parents who raise their children with a sound structure will reap the rewards of a good school system. Parents who do not theach their children sound values are the one who blame a student's failure on the school system.
Richmond County has a solid framework for "teaching" our children. Those who consistently fail are the ones who "fail" in school. A good example is reflected at Tubman Middle School. The problem is not in "teaching standards" nor the teachers abilities. Thr problem is that the majority of those students who are reaised in the absence sound parental skills and values. Thus, the parents need to teach themselves how to properly raise their children and not blame somebody else for their own failures.
Parents must understand that the "teaching" process begins in the home. Parents who raise their children with a sound structure will reap the rewards of a good school system. Parents who do not theach their children sound values are the one who blame a student's failure on the school system.
Richmond County has a solid framework for "teaching" our children. Those who consistently fail are the ones who "fail" in school. A good example is reflected at Tubman Middle School. The problem is not in "teaching standards" nor the teachers abilities. Thr problem is that the majority of those students who are reaised in the absence sound parental skills and values. Thus, the parents need to teach themselves how to properly raise their children and not blame somebody else for their own failures.
Hurrah for a B-. Evidently a B- from this organization means about as much as a B- in our schools. GA is still a bottom feeder on the SAT scores, high school drop out rates, teen pregnancy which effects the school drop-out rates, and teacher retention rates. One thing for sure according to the report, we are tops in assessment. Test the kids and test them again and again and again. No wonder they aren't learning. They spend weeks in testing and weeks practicing for the tests. Principals buy practice tests for their students and spend weeks getting them ready. At least we are good at something - assessment and standardized testing. At least it gives the teachers a break. All they have to do is monitor on testing days and not have to teach. We can test and write standards for sure!
Shivas & Justus4 DID IT AGAIN. These cats are NAILING the issues lately, folks. A word of advice, shivas. Put 'em BOTH in private school NOW. Effective Learning & Study habits can be aquired at a VERY early age. I know you probably are doing this YOURSELF w/ the kids at home anyway, just a thought. HEY FOLKS. We spent 225 MILLION DOLLARS on Richmond County students last year. Thats a quarter of a BILLION dollars.., that's BILLION with a "B". That's roughly $4500 PER PUPIL!~ Do y'all know what tuition for Episcopal Day School is? My point: We are spending JUST AS MUCH if not MORE, but look at the results. It's a SHAM. SHAM SHAM SHAM! PULL YOUR KIDS OUT. Do whatever it TAKES, because the STATE doesn't CARE about your kid(s).., they only care about the MONEY they get from WASHINGTON DC. And the only way they get that money is to jump through the testing hoop. Well, that's where JUSTUS4's comment is correct. They're not teaching your kid ANYTHING but how to take the CRCT or the OLSAT. And to top it off, they are trying like HECK to dispose of your childs individualism in favor of the "COLLECTIVE GOOD". Hello SOCIALISM.
Why so quick with the negativity? Some of you are qo quick to separate yourselves from Augusta-Richmond County (i.e. Black folks). If anything, you should be trying to help improve the area. When people outside of Augusta read about us, they read about us as a whole...not just CC or RC! Outsiders would think we are sheer idiots. Yet, you dont understand that. Positivity, people. Positivity.
My children both attend a RCBOE school. They will excel acdemically in school regardless of where they are. I will ensure that. However, RCBOE lacks enrichment opportunities for the students.
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