Blog

Understanding New Georgia Milestones Assessments

November 16, 2015

This morning, the Georgia Department of Education released the results of the first-ever administration of the Georgia Milestones assessments based on the new Georgia Standards of Excellence. I am sure many educators, students, parents and stakeholders have questions and are seeking clarification for what all of this means for the state and Atlanta Public Schools.…

Today We Honor Heroes: Veterans, Military Service Men and Women (and Uncle Ralph)

November 11, 2015

As superintendent, I often tell people that I have the best job in the world … and I do. Working with other dedicated professionals, many of whom are military veterans, who are passionate about preparing our students for college or the workforce, is such a fulfilling experience for me. That is why I feel it…

APS Graduation Rate on the Rise

November 9, 2015

Last night I couldn’t sleep because I was so anxious about the release today of graduation rates for Georgia and Atlanta Public Schools. We tracked students all school year, and the very strong predictive data had me very encouraged, but I still wasn’t quite ready for the news I received about our graduation rate numbers…

Time to “Max the Vote” for Toomer Elementary School!

October 21, 2015

Kindergarten students are incredibly curious. Whenever I visit kinder classrooms you notice two things – they love to ask questions and they love to move! Emily Max and her kindergarten students at Toomer Elementary School are no different. When Emily decided to apply for a $100,000 grant through the Farmers Insurance Dream Big Teacher Challenge…

Applauding Our Teacher of the Year Winners & Finalists – Maximus deberi puer reverential!

October 21, 2015

Maximus deberi puer reverential. Translation: The greatest reverence is due a child. In this case, because of their dedication, the greatest reverence is due our teachers. Every week I have the pleasure of visiting classrooms and watching teachers dive deeply into history lessons, conduct science experiments, simplify complex mathematical concepts and immerse students in foreign…

Milk Mustaches, Mice and Morning Storytime: APS Celebrates Pre-K Week!

October 7, 2015

This week I wore mouse ears, and I LOVED it! “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” is the book being read in pre-kindergarten classrooms throughout the state this week, including in Atlanta Public Schools, as our early learners participate in Georgia Pre-K Week. Pre-K Week is a celebration of the tremendous learning taking place in our Pre-K program…

25 Years of Service – Hands On Atlanta Day

October 3, 2015

The gloomy weather could not keep thousands of volunteers from showing up for service projects across the city today as part of the annual Hands on Atlanta Day.  For 25 years, Hands on Atlanta has been a driving force behind positive community change in Atlanta, and year after year they rally volunteers to help transform…

APS in Wonderland

September 25, 2015

For so many members of our APS team, after years of watching the public school charter system legislation unfold in Georgia, it seemed impossible that what happened today at the Georgia State Board of Education’s (SBOE) monthly meeting could happen for APS this quickly and with this much support. Though, like Alice in Wonderland, “Sometimes,…

Run, APS, RUN (or Strut)!

September 23, 2015

Rushing out of the door to get to Piedmont Park Oval where I will join my running buddies and colleagues on this is the final night of practice before we participate in the East Atlanta Village (EAV) Runfest this weekend! The time has finally come where all our hard work and practice will pay off!…

Chillaxin in the ‘A’

September 18, 2015

“And you can tell everybody this is your song It may be quite simple but Now that it’s done I hope you don’t mind I hope you don’t mind That I put down in words How wonderful life is while you’re in the world” —Your Song by Elton John Sadly this is the final weekend…