GeorgiaScholars

Preparing for the Criterion Reference Competency Test (CRCT)

 

As we approach the end of the school year, students in grades 1-8 must take and pass the CRCT.  This test is to measure knowledge and skills acquired through the curriculum.  Moreover, students in the third grade must pass the reading section in order to be promoted to the fourth grade.  Furthermore, students in the fifth and eighth grade must pass both the reading and mathematics sections in order to be promoted to the next grade. 

The purpose for the high stake testing is to hold schools accountable to the learning of all students but this accountability must be shared by all stakeholders.

 

The CRCT will be commence April 16, 2009; therefore, review the syllabus in the subject areas of reading and mathematics.  In addition, review your child’s report card from the first semester to analyze your child’s strengths and weakness.  At the conclusion of each day, ask your child what he/she learned in each class.  Do not ask general questions but be specific in your questioning.  For example, what did you learn today in your reading and mathematics class?  Furthermore, after finding what area is being studied in class, ask questions such as “how can you apply the character in your book to yourself or to another member of our household”.   In addition, contact your child’s teacher to gain additional knowledge concerning your child.  Ask questions such as what are the strengths and need improvement areas?  What can I do at home to assist? 

 

From this point, have your child read at least 30 minutes of day and maintain a reading log.  In mathematics, have your third grader explain and demonstrate addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and word problems.  For the 5^th and 8^th graders, have them explain and demonstrate geometric figures and word problems.  Likewise, have the child complete their homework daily at a given time and place to develop a routine and procedure.  If the student is having problems completing assignments, contact the teacher and articulate specifically the area of need.  By implementing these procedures your son or daughter will do well for the test measures his /her basic skill. 

 

If the student fails the test in grades 3^rd, 5th, or 8^th do not panic for the student will have the opportunity to attend summer school and retake the test.  However, develop a positive relationship with your child and school and this partnership will produce good fruit. 

 

Select your Poison...Legislation News, Balance Score Card and/or Budget Cuts

News from the Creekside/Westlake Cluster Advisory Council from February 26, 2009 at 6:00pm

The food was good but due to the news, digesting was difficult

Legislation News

State Representatives Roger Bruce and Virgil Fludd plus Fulton County Commissioner William Edwards commenced the night with the proposed legislation of HB-21.  This legislation is to have northern Fulton County secede from Fulton County and become Milton County.  Presently, the bill has passed the committee but needs two-third of the House and two-third of the Senate to be placed on the ballot for the Georgians to vote in November, 2009.  In addition to produced another county, the constitution must be amendment.  This legislation is unlikely to pass this year but we must be vigilant for it can be attached to another bill and become a back door issue.  If this legislation becomes law, several things will take place: 1) The Justice System will become more expensive to fund; 2) The School system will become more expensive to fund; 3) Grady Hospital will become more expensive to fund; 4) The water system will become more expensive to fund; 5) The library, park, road and other county services will become more expensive to fund; therefore, the taxes and quality of life in Fulton County will become more expensive.  Each Friday at 12:00 noon, the Fulton County Delegation meets in the Legislature Room 506.  The public is welcome and the event is free.

Other legislations to follow are the Transporation Plan, Tax Assessment Plan, a plan to allow at risk 11th and 12th graders to withdraw from high school and enroll in a college or vocational school, Homestead Exemption and to repeal the annexation of South Fulton Unincorporated into the city of Atlanta.  In addition to your legislator, contact Terry Allen at terry.allen@fultoncountyga.gov to learn how these legislations can effect Fulton County taxpayers.

Citizens may track bills at the House clerk’s office in room 309 and the Senate secretary’s office, room 351.  Individuals may contact the House clerk’s office at 404-656-5015 and/or the Secretary of the Senate’s office at 404-656-5040 for information on a particular bill.  In order to identify your legislator, a citizen may go online to www.sos.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/Locator.asp or contact by phone at 1-888-265-1115 and Press “1” to complete the process.  To locate an abundance of information concerning the General Assembly please visit www.legis.state.ga.us .  This site will provide information such as homepage links, office address, phone number and email.

 

Balanced Score Card Update

 

Linda Anderson, the Deputy Superintendent of Instruction, articulated that 42% of the student body in the county is African American; therefore, we must close the achievment gap.  In order to address this issue, the Balance Score Card will address the achievement gap through the Value-Added Performance System.  The African Americans and Students of Free and Reduced lunch will be monitored and measured to address the needs in closing the gap  The annual measureable objectives are Science Fair, Technology Fair and Advanced Placement Courses.  School Improvement Plans and Central Department Plans will be developed to offer both oversight and transparency in closing the achievement gap.

 

Sharing Best Practices to Close the Achievement Gap

• Use Common Assessment

• Standard Based Classroom

• Word Wall

• Item Bank for common assessment questions

These best practices were introduced to the system by the principal at Bear Creek Middle School (Very Interesting)

 

Budget-Linda Bryant: School Board

 

• SPLOST III is 174-178 million dollars short fall.  The proposal was 14 million dollars a month but presently, the figure is between 9-10 million dollars per month

• South Fulton is expecting 1,300 additional students but due to the foreclosures in the county, the projection may be too high

• Fulton County Public School budget for the fiscal year 2009 is $80,732,792 in the red!

• Five days Furloughs are possible at the Central Office then School Administrator to address the short fall

• Teachers are the last results as it relates to Furlough

• Next meeting with Catherine Maddox is April 20, 2009 at Hamilton Holmes Elementary School at 6:30pm

• Next meeting with the Creekside/Westlake Cluster is April 23, 2009

• Post your opinion by clicking comments.  Our task is to remain informed and involved in the process going forward. For if we sleep, poverty will awaits us; therefore, lets get and keep involved