February 2013 Latest News Update
New GOSA E-Bulletin: Innovation Fund Applied Learning Grants Showing Early Success
In fall 2012, GOSA contracted with The Findings Group to develop the Applied Learning Student Questionnaire (ALSQ) for the Race to the Top Innovation Fund Round 1 and 2 applied learning grantees. The ALSQ measures pre and post gains in student intrinsic motivation, self-management, and intent to persist in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) studies during the fall semester. The survey also asked students about problem solving and implementation activities in each program. This e-bulletin highlights findings from the December 2012 survey administration.
Overall, the grantees have improved student perceptions of their intrinsic motivation, self-management skills, intent to persist in STEM, and desire to pursue postsecondary education. Going forward, the survey indicated that the programs should increase student interactions with STEM professionals and allow students more freedom to plan and develop projects.
To read the full update, click this link.
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Early reports from Georgia Pre-K study shows student gains
The state-commissioned University of North Carolina study tracked a random sample of Georgia Pre-K students during the 2011-12 school year. In a WABE article about the findings, Bobby Cagle, the commissioner of Georgia’s Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), says, “The results showed significant gains in all of the areas and indicated that many of the children moved from below the national average in that particular test to above the national average after the test." To read the full article, click here.
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Higher Education Funding Commission report released
In mid-January, Gov. Nathan Deal released the final recommendations from his funding commission tasked with using funding formulas to incentivize college completion. The commission’s recommendations include rewarding student progression across critical hours-earned benchmarks, degree and credential completion, and sector-performance in strategic initiatives, which could include such indicators as job placement, award of research dollars, or decreasing the time to degree. The commission recommended that the formula also include an incentive for students who are over 25 years of age or who receive the Pell Grant. Click here to read the full press release and recommendations.
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Reading Mentor Initiative publishes first Georgia Reading on my Mind Magazine
Started in 2012, the Governor's Reading Mentor Initiative pairs reading instruction mentors with teams of pre-K through third grade teachers in the state's most challenged schools in reading proficiency. The initiative recently published the first edition of its triannual magazine to bring best practices and news to administrators, state government officials, teachers, parents, and schools. To read the magazine or to learn more about the Reading Mentor Initiative, click here.
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