21st Annual Bus Trip Across Georgia
School Nomination Form
Georgia Public Schools:
Birth to Work Pipeline - Ideas that Work

Background

The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education hosts an annual Bus Trip Across Georgia each fall for the purpose of convening a group of diverse education stakeholders to celebrate and witness first-hand public schools of excellence throughout the state. In 20 years of trips, participants have visited more than 288 exemplary schools and programs in more than 130 school systems throughout the state. Additional information and video coverage of previous trips can be found on the Partnership website: 20th Annual Bus Trip Coverage.

Theme

Each annual trip is organized around a theme, and schools are selected for recognition based on their alignment with the theme and their evidence of achievement. The theme of the 21st Annual Bus Trip Across Georgia is Georgia Public Schools:The Birth to Work Pipeline-- Ideas that Work.

Globalization and the technological revolution have had a profound impact on communities across our country. While a high school diploma was once sufficient to secure a stable job with benefits, nearly two thirds of new jobs created in the fastest-growing sectors of the economy will require some postsecondary education.

In this changing reality, the quality of local schools is directly related to the future economic success of both the individual and the state. For many communities in Georgia though, adjusting to this new economic reality can be a challenge -- especially where there are high concentrations of poverty or in rural areas. Students in these environments often lack access to rigorous, college readiness classes due to low enrollments and a shortage of qualified teachers. Also, in early grades, schools often lack access to teachers who are specialists in areas such as early reading comprehension, math, and science.

The 21st Annual Bus Trip Across Georgia will highlight schools that are meeting these challenges by implementing innovative education reform programs along the birth to work educational pipeline. These programs should have a history of preparing students to be successful in college and careers. Such examples of programs aimed at producing a highly skilled workforce include early reading programs, soft-skill development, implementation of career pathways, school to work partnership programs, etc. Priority will be given to schools (Pre-K through higher education) that demonstrate collective impact partnerships with local/ regional businesses, institutions of higher education, and communities that move students through the K-12 system and into post-secondary education (two- or four-year college or certification program) and careers.

Geographic Focus

We will be accepting applications from across the entire state of Georgia.

Nomination Instructions

The Georgia Partnership is seeking nominations of public schools at every stage of the educational pipeline – from early learning centers to traditional elementary, from middle and high schools to charter schools and postsecondary programs and institutions – that exemplify the theme of Georgia Public Schools: Birth to Work Pipeline -- Ideas that Work.

To nominate a school, complete the attached nomination form (comprised of three sections: School Profile; Nomination Questions; and Nominator and References) in its entirety. Return the completed nomination form to the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education.

Completed nominations may be mailed, faxed, or emailed to:

Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education

Attention: Dana Rickman

270 Peachtree Street, Suite 2200

Atlanta, GA 30303

Fax: 404/223-2299

Email:

Nomination Details

All school nominations will be thoroughly reviewed by the Georgia Partnership staff and Bus Trip Advisory Committee. In an effort to incorporate a diverse group of schools, additional data may be considered and/or requested, including student and school achievement data, demographic context, and geographical location.

***Nominations must be received by 4 p.m., Thursday, March 28, 2013***

Schools will be notified of the final selection decision for the Bus Trip no later than May 3, 2013.

The 21st Annual Bus Trip Across Georgia will be held between late September and early November. Exact dates TBD.

The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education is a non-profit, non-partisan organization whose mission is to inform and influence Georgia leaders through research and non-partisan advocacy to impact education policies and practices for the improvement of student achievement.

More information, including video of previous Bus Trips, is available at www.gpee.org.

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21st Annual Bus Trip Across Georgia School Nomination Form
The Birth to Work Pipeline:
Ideas that Work

(Please print or type responses in the space provided.)

Part I. School Profile

General Information

School Name
School System
School Street Address
City / Zip Code
Telephone / Fax
School Website

School Principal

School Principal
Telephone
Email

School System Superintendent

Name
Telephone
Email

School Enrollment Profile for the 2013 Year

Student Demographics (% of total enrollment) / Total Enrollment
Asian / White
Black / Multiracial / Grades Served
Hispanic
Title I Status
Limited English Proficient
Eligible for Free/Reduced Meals
Students with Disabilities
Part II. Nomination Questions
Answers maybe in bulleted or narrative form

Question 1 – Relevance to Theme (500 words max.)

Explain how this school embodies the theme of this year’s Bus Trip, Georgia Public Schools:Birth to Work Pipeline -- Ideas that Work. Be as specific as possible in your explanation of unique policies, programs, etc., that have enabled your school to prepare students to be successful in college and career?

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Question 2 – Evidence of Success (500 words max.)

What measureable results in teacher, student, and/or school performance are attributable to the use of the program described in Question 1? Please include specific school data in your response (e.g. standardized test scores, graduation rates, attendance measures, teacher quality indicators, etc.).

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Question 3 – External Partnerships (500 words max.)

Preparing students to be successful in today’s economy means that students are supported through quality educational programming from birth through their postsecondary college or career experience. Please provide any examples of any partnerships -or collective impact models in which your school participates that help produce work ready students. Collective impact models are partnerships between schools, businesses, non-profits, communities, etc. that have a shared vision, shared work plans, and common metrics of success.

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Question 4 – What will we see? (500 words max.)

This is an opportunity for your school to showcase best practices in preparing your students for college and career success. Bus Trip participants are anxious not only to see your good works, but to personally experience them. Although we do not expect you to reorder your valuable school day, we hope to leave being convinced you truly have an exciting story to tell.

Question 5– Additional Honors (350 words max.)

Please list any special recognition, honors, and/or awards the school has received in the last 3 years.

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Part III. Nominator and References

Nominator Information*

*Either the nominator or additional reference must be from a business or local chamber of commerce

(Individual or organization submitting this nomination)

Name / Title
Organization
Street Address
City / Zip Code
Telephone / Fax
Email

Additional Reference (OPTIONAL)

(Individual external to the school who could provide additional information if needed)

Name / Title
Organization
Address
City / Zip Code
Telephone / Fax
Email

v  Questions about this nomination form may be directed to Dana Rickman, Director of Policy & Research, at 404/223-2462 or .

v  Completed nominations may be mailed, faxed, or emailed to the Partnership.

Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education

Attention: Dana Rickman

270 Peachtree Street, Suite 2200

Atlanta, GA 30303

Fax: 404/223-2299

Email:

v  Nominations must be received by 4 p.m., Thursday, March 28, 2013.

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