Archive for 2015
Keeping up with the KIPPsters
I had the pleasure of visiting two KIPP campuses this week, KIPP WAYS and KIPP Vision, together serving just over 900 students in elementary and middle school. KIPP WAYS Academy is an APS charter school housed in the former Herndon Elementary facility. Dwight Ho-Sang is in his fourth year as the school’s principal and leads…
Read MoreThe Heroes of Heritage Academy
Teachers were the celebrated superheroes during Teacher Appreciation Week at Heritage Academy and the students and school leaders were celebrating with special costumes, themed days and teacher toolkit gifts from our partners at Newell Rubbermaid. I spent time last week handing out toolkits, filled with essential classroom supplies, and getting to know more about the students and…
Read MoreAssisting APS Students Impacted by CRCT Cheating
At the recent Board meeting, I provided an update on the progress and continued efforts of APS to provide resources and necessary remediation for students directly impacted by CRCT cheating back in 2009. When I joined the District last summer, I was committed to knowing exactly what APS was doing for those students still in…
Read MoreAPS raises the bar with career-focused programs
When a Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program receives industry certification it’s recognition that the program’s curriculum is aligned with industry standards. For students, it represents high quality instruction aimed at providing better career opportunities. For employers, it means that a highly skilled, future workforce is being groomed inside of our high schools. The…
Read MoreGADOE Announces 2015 Georgia Scholars
Our high schools are full of talented students doing amazing work not only in their classrooms, but also in their communities. Last week, the Georgia Department of Education recognized eight Atlanta Public Schools graduating seniors as 2015 Georgia Scholars. They join 175 other Georgia 12th graders who have also achieved excellence in their academic life as…
Read MoreCongrats to our Gates Millennium Scholars
Atlanta Public Schools is proud to announce 17 students from the class of 2015 have been named Gates Millennium Scholars! Gates Scholars receive full financial support for the cost of their college education as well as graduate school funding in the areas of mathematics, public health, science, library science, and engineering and computer science education. …
Read MoreCelebrate Mathematics Awareness and Education Month!
The month of April is Mathematics Awareness and Education Month, and I don’t think math education has ever been as important for our students’ success in college, career and life as it is right now. I’m so proud that APS was represented at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ annual conference in Boston. These…
Read MoreBoard Approves FY16 General Fund Budget for APS
I was pleased to present to the Board tonight the FY16 General Fund Budget for Atlanta Public Schools, which stands at $685.6 million. I want to thank again all of the staff, Board members and community members who toiled through this process. This budget represents months and months of work that goes back to before…
Read MoreGuest Blogger Rebecca Kaye Explains Diploma Recovery in APS and the Importance of House Bill 91
Guest Blogger: Rebecca Kaye, APS Policy & Governance Advisor I am very rarely brought to tears of joy by actions of the Georgia General Assembly and our Governor. However, this week, Governor Deal signed House Bill 91 (HB 91) which retroactively eliminates previously required state graduation tests which were in place for Georgia graduating classes beginning with the…
Read MoreLet’s celebrate our reader leaders
Readers are leaders and April is the month we celebrate our district’s literacy leaders, our awesome APS Media Specialists! I LOVE to read, I mean I really, really, really love reading and learning new things, so I’m excited to salute the very employees who foster that same love for the written word in our students.…
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