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11 Gwinnett students named Gates Millennium Scholars

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer
Monday, May 14th, 2012, 2:37pm
11 Gwinnett students named Gates Millennium Scholars

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. -- Eleven graduating seniors in Gwinnett County public schools have been named 2012 Gates Millennium Scholars.

The prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship, which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, pays full college tuition, room and board for some of the country's most promising young people. Only 1,000 students earn the scholarship every school year.

This year's Gates Millennium Scholars from Gwinnett County include:

Collins Hill High School
Vivek Kamlesh Patel
Will attend the University of Georgia
Major: Pre-medicine

Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology
Arsalan Akkas Sufi
Will attend Yale University
Major: Undecided

Meadowcreek High School
Alex Shaun Steele
Will attend the University of Georgia
Major: Computer engineering

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When does the school year end?

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer
Monday, May 14th, 2012, 1:35pm
When does the school year end?

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- The last day of school is right around the corner for Gwinnett County students.

Public schools will dismiss for the summer on Wednesday, May 23.

Buford City Schools, meanwhile, will end the school year two days later -- Friday, May 25.

The last days of school in other metro Atlanta districts are staggered throughout the second half of May. They include:

Wednesday, May 16
Clarke County

Thursday, May 17
Hall County

Friday, May 18
Bartow County
Clayton County
Fulton County

Tuesday, May 22
Atlanta Public Schools
Barrow County

Wednesday, May 23
Carroll County
Newton County

Thursday, May 24
Cobb County
Decatur City Schools
DeKalb County
Rockdale County

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Ga. high school students take longer to earn diplomas

Submitted by Associated Press
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012, 3:26pm

ATLANTA -- A new method of calculating graduation rates reveals that more high school students are dropping out than had been previously counted and some of them are taking five or even six years to earn a diploma.

According to reports the new formula was released last week. It shows that Georgia's 2011 graduation rate dropped 13 percentage points using the calculation, to 67.4 percent.

RELATED | Compare graduation rates by school

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Bill would revoke bonuses for teachers caught cheating

Submitted by Associated Press
Friday, March 16th, 2012, 10:35am
Bill would revoke bonuses for teachers caught cheating

ATLANTA -- A Senate committee has passed a bill that would revoke bonuses for Georgia teachers who cheat on standardized tests.

The Democratic-backed legislation was approved unanimously by the Senate education committee Monday. It now goes to the full Senate for a vote before heading to the governor's desk.

Under current policy, teachers can receive bonuses or incentive pay based on the standardized test scores of their students.

The bill stems from last year's cheating scandal in Atlanta Public Schools.

A state investigation in July revealed widespread cheating by educators in nearly half of the Atlanta's 100 schools dating to 2001. In all, nearly 180 teachers and principals were accused of giving answers to students or changing responses once the tests had been completed.

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Nearly 40 metro schools among worst performing

Submitted by Blayne Alexander, 11Alive Reporter
Wednesday, March 14th, 2012, 8:43pm
Nearly 40 metro schools among worst performing

ATLANTA -- The Georgia Department of Education has released a list of the 78 worst performing schools in the state as part of its waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind law.

Nearly half of those schools are in the Metro Atlanta area. Of the schools listed, 14 are Atlanta Public Schools, nine are in DeKalb County and three are in Gwinnett County. Fulton and Cobb County each have one school on the list.

The list identifies the state's "priority" schools -- those that consistently perform poorly on tests, have low graduation rates or are already receiving federal improvement funds.

To be considered a "Priority School," one would have a graduation rate of 60 percent or less for two consecutive years, have low achievement on standardized tests or receive School Improvement Grant (SIG) funds to implement a school intervention model.

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Clean Commute Week continues today with "GA Walk to School Day"

Submitted by Marc Richardson, Where U Live Producer
Wednesday, March 7th, 2012, 6:21am
Clean Commute Week continues today with "GA Walk to School Day"

Atlanta - This week (March 5-9) is officially Clean Commute Week, where the Clean Air Campaign challenges K-12 schools across the state to raise "awareness of clean commute options and to explore ways to reduce the number of idling cars in school zones."  
Monday - Ride the Bus
Tuesday- Bike or ride a scooter
Wednesday- Georgia Walk to School Day
Thursday- Carpool
Friday- Commute using any clean mode

 

The week is designed to provide Georgia schools with a platform to share the benefits of commute alternatives with their school communities and highlight clean transportation, including bus riding, biking, walking, carpooling and no idling.  These options help reduce smog-forming emissions that come from vehicle tailpipes. Schools can choose one or more green travel methods to promote throughout the week.

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Braves, Publix to award 6 scholarships to Ga. seniors

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer
Tuesday, February 28th, 2012, 11:26am
Braves, Publix to award 6 scholarships to Ga. seniors

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves and Publix have teamed up for the 13th year in a row to offer scholarship money to high school seniors throughout Georgia.

Six $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to students who have maintained good grades and strong community involvement throughout their four years of high school.

In order to qualify, a student must be a graduating senior with a minimum 3.2 GPA, and must have plans to attend an accredited college or university in the fall of 2012.

For more information or to apply, visit braves.com/scholarships. The deadline to apply is April 21. All applicants will receive a free Braves promotional item while supplies last.

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