Social Networking: Follow APS on Twitter.com @APSupdate for quick news tips, links to blog posts or media coverage. YouTube: Watch short, fun and informative videos about the APS community. Visit www.YouTube.com and type in “APSupdate” for our APS channel. APS Today: This television show introduces viewers to the students, educators and parents who are dedicated to improving achievement. Watch new shows each month at 9:30 p.m. on PBA TV Channel 30. WPBA 30: This television station provides metro Atlanta more than 70 hours of award-winning, educational programming each week. APS 22: Cable subscribers in the city of Atlanta can access this station for around-the-clock education programming. WABE: Atlanta’s National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate offers 24-hours of news, music and community affairs.
Snapshot of the 2009-10 Fiscal Year
About Atlanta Public Schools 2009-10
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Student enrollment 47,789 Elementary schools 55 Middle schools 16 Single-gender academies 2 High schools 25 Nontraditional programs 2 Charter schools 12 Evening school programs 2 Total APS learning sites 101
PS works to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars. The 2009-10 budget of $646.5 million came from three sources: local taxes (78.8%), state revenue (20.3%), and funds from investment interest and rental of facilities (0.9%). Seventy percent of the district’s budget is allocated to instruction and student achievement. Here is a breakdown of 2009-10 revenue sources and appropriations: 0.9% FY10 GENERAL FUND REVENUE SOURCES Total: $646,500,000 Local Taxes – $509,550,000 (78.8%)
APS HIGHLIGHTS
Ethnic Distribution of Students African-American 80.4% Caucasian 11.5% Hispanic 3.7% Multiracial 1.4% Asian .8% American Indian/Alaskan 1.9%
20.3%
State QBE* – $131,300,000 (20.3%) (*Includes federal stimulus funds)
Teacher/student Ratio Kindergarten Grades 1-3 Grades 4-5 Grades 6-8 Grades 9-12 Computer/Student Ratio
78.8%
Other Revenue – $5,650,000 (0.9%) (Investment Interest, Rental of Facilities)
1:15 1:17 1:23 1:20 1:23 1:2
Students eligible for free and reduced priced meals 77.62% Number of 2010 graduates 2,158
FY10 APPROPRIATIONS
Instruction* School Administration Services Charter Schools Student Transportation General Administration Services Business Services Maintenance and Operations Central Support Services Unfunded Pension
7% 6%
• Special Education • Pupil Services • Media Services • Alternative and Vocational Education
Number of Title I Schools
2% 2% 2% 6%
59% 6%
71%
96
FY 11 General Fund Budget $589 million
10%
*Instruction includes:
Scholarships offered to class of 2010 $129 million+
• APS received a three-year, $10
Journey to Excellence
million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support the next phase of the district’s school reform programs, the Effective Teacher in Every Classroom (ETEC) Initiative.
• APS students demonstrated the
largest gains of all states and participating Trial Urban District Assessment (TUDA) school districts between 2002 and 2009 on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading tests.
• APS earned national attention for
fiscal management. The Association of School Business Officials International honored the district for its 2009-10 budget. APS also earned a certificate of achievement — the highest recognition in government accounting — from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report.
• APS opened the Early Learning &
Literacy Resource Center at Dunbar Elementary, providing an educational foundation for children between the ages of six weeks and 10 years of age.
Atlanta Public O Schools is becoming one of the
top-performing urban school systems
ur innovative learning programs, nationally recognized best practices and excellent teachers are making a difference in the lives of our K-12 students. We are committed to ensuring that all students graduate from our schools ready for success in college and life, and prepared to build a stronger Atlanta.
2009-10 Annual Report on Atlanta Public Schools
in America.
Journey to Excellence 2009-10 Annual Report on Atlanta Public Schools was produced by the Office of Communications. For the latest news on Atlanta Public Schools, visit our Web site: www.atlantapublicschools.us. Atlanta Public Schools | 130 Trinity Avenue, S.W. | Atlanta, Georgia 30303 | 404.802.3500
Atlanta Board of Education LaChandra Butler Burks, Chair, District 5 Cecily Harsch-Kinnane, Vice Chair, District 3 Brenda J. Muhammad, District 1 Khaatim Sherrer El, District 2 Nancy M. Meister, District 4 Yolanda K. Johnson, District 6 Courtney D. English, At-Large Seat 7 Reuben R. McDaniel, III, At-Large Seat 8 Emmett D. Johnson, At-Large Seat 9 atlantapublicschools.us
tlanta Public Schools is committed to ensuring that all students graduate ready for success in college and life, and prepared to build a stronger Atlanta. The next phase of our journey to excellence focuses on three key areas: student achievement, instructional excellence and community engagement.
Atlanta Public Schools: Preparing a 21st Century Workforce
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s superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, I am proud of the strides we have made to improve student achievement, establish instructional excellence and build lasting community partnerships. APS is committed to preparing all students for success in college and in life. This annual report outlines our work to create programs and initiatives that help us accomplish that vital task.
To compete on a global playing field, instructional excellence is no longer an option — it is a necessity. APS sets and maintains high standards for the teachers, administrators and faculty who shape our young minds each day. Fortunately, a vast network of civic and corporate partners, such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the GE Foundation, share our belief in the students of APS. Each has generously invested time and resources to further our journey. The next phase of our decade-long reform model provides an increased focus on recruiting, training and supporting our teachers.
Research also shows us that all students can excel in the presence of a highly effective teacher. For that reason, APS welcomes the best and brightest to join our ranks as we shape the next generation of leaders. They deserve nothing less, and I am honored to serve the 47,789 students of Atlanta Public Schools. Finally, we take pride in the fact that the district’s 2009-10 budget earned a Meritorious Budget Award from the Association of School Business Officials International. But we take greater pride in knowing that, even during difficult financial times, APS maintains its focus on classroom instruction. Again, our students deserve nothing less. As we begin a new school year, APS welcomes the opportunity to cultivate an atmosphere where all students can meet and exceed expectations. Thank you for being part of this exciting journey. Sincerely,
Beverly L. Hall, Ed.D. Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent
Student achievement Success at APS can be measured by student achievement on national and state standardized tests.
• Student gains outpace other districts:
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also referred to as the Nation’s Report Card, is an independent assessment of student performance conducted by the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES). Fourth- grade reading scores have improved by 14 points since 2002, while eighth-grade reading scores have improved by 14 points since 2002. Student performance on these tests reaffirms the district’s overall progress on state assessments.
Instructional Excellence APS has launched signature programs that serve as national models for urban school reform.
• APS has transformed the high school
• APS will place a highly effective teacher
in every classroom: Research has shown that an effective teacher is the single most important in-school factor in closing the student achievement gap. APS has developed the Effective Teacher in Every Classroom Initiative to develop, encourage and reward highly effective teachers. A three-year, $10 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation also will help the district provide professional development tools, track progress and reward outstanding teachers.
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tlanta Public Schools serves as a model for urban school reform. Over the past decade, our students have met or exceeded expectations on the Georgia Department of Education’s Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT), Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT/GHSWT), End of Course Tests (EOCT) and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
experience: Through the High School Transformation Initiative, every APS high school provides smaller, more personalized learning environments with specific academic themes. This unique approach has dramatically improved the district’s graduation rate.
Community Engagement Strong partnerships build strong schools. Support from corporations, civic organizations and non-profit foundations has resulted in playgrounds for schools, grants for teachers, internships for students and other valuable contributions.
2010 CRCT In 2010, APS implemented best-in-class testing protocols to ensure the integrity of the administration of the CRCT. Here are a few highlights from the 2010 CRCT:
• An early foundation: In the first public-
private partnership of its kind in metro experience: The Middle School Atlanta, APS opened the Early Learning & Transformation Initiative provides students Literacy Resource Center at Dunbar with tools to create a smooth transition Elementary. Funded by the Annie E. Casey from elementary to middle school, paving Foundation, the Joseph B. Whitehead the way for success in high school. Foundation, the Atlanta Housing Authority • Careers in math and science are well and other partners, the facility provides an within reach: The district’s Math & Science educational foundation for children Initiative combines a rigorous curriculum between the ages of six weeks and 10 • More students chart a path to college: years of age. The district’s graduation rate has increased with top-notch professional learning. Funded by a $22 million grant from the GE • Partners serve as principals: Each year, dramatically, from 39 percent in 2002 to 69 percent in 2009. APS high school Foundation, APS students receive a 21st APS offers business and community graduates from the class of 2010, which century learning experience that sets the leaders, such as former Mayor Shirley comprises 2,158 students, earned a record foundation for careers in math, science Franklin, a chance to shadow principals for a day. This popular event builds a $129 million in academic and athletic and engineering. scholarship offers, compared to $92 • Graduation helps APS students achieve strong bond between schools and million in scholarships awarded to the dreams: With more than a decade in Atlanta’s diverse community of leaders. class of 2009 and $64 million awarded in Atlanta Public Schools, Project GRAD 2008. Also, a record 29 APS students (Graduation Really Achieves Dreams) is earned 2010 Gates Millennium helping more students chart a path to
• APS has redefined the middle school
Making the Grade
• 84 percent of all students met or exceeded state standards in reading • 85 percent of all students met or exceeded state standards in English/ language arts
About the APS Class of 2010 • Graduates earned more than $129 million in academic and athletic scholarship offers, up from $92 million earned by the class of 2009.
• Twenty-nine students earned 2010 Gates Millennium Scholarships – more than any other school district in the nation.
• Students made significant strides on the
Georgia High School Graduation Writing test, with 93 percent passing the writing portion and 85 percent passing the math portion.
• 70 percent of all students met or exceeded state standards in mathematics
GHSGT/GHSWT — CHARTING A PATH TO COLLEGE: Students made significant performance increases writing, English/language arts and science.
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college. About 470 APS Brumley-GRAD Scholars are pursuing higher education at 89 colleges across the country.
atlantapublicschools.us
• 86 percent of students passed the English/language arts portion
Stay Connected Bookmark your way to APS to get the latest news, straight from the source.
• 85 percent of students passed the math portion • 83 percent of students passed the science portion • 71 percent of students passed the social studies portion • 93 percent of students passed the writing portion NAEP — STUDENT GAINS OUTPACE OTHER DISTRICTS: Also referred to as the Nation’s Report Card, NAEP is an independent assessment of student performance conducted by the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES). Student performance on these tests in 2009 reaffirms the district’s overall progress on state assessments.
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Scholarships — more than any other district in the nation.
• Grade 4 math scores have improved by 10 points since 2003 • Grade 8 math scores have improved by 15 points since 2003
APS Web site: Add www. atlantapublicschools.us as a favorite Web site for district initiatives, news releases, video clips and photo galleries. School Web sites: Learn about school events, contact your child’s teacher, or learn how to get involved. Type www. atlantapublicschools.us/(insert your school’s name), or check out the “Schools” section of the district Web site.
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Journey to Excellence
The Atlanta Educator: This award-winning publication highlights students, teachers, administrators, parents and community partners who ensure APS’ journey to excellence. Talk Up APS: This continually updated blog serves as a digital newsletter with the latest news, links to media coverage, photo galleries, videos and more. Visit www. TalkUpAPS.com.