Over 90 percent of Community Coaches in Place

Georgia's Business Community Has Responded to Governor's Challenge in January

ATLANTA – In January, Governor Sonny Perdue challenged Georgia's business community to support his goal of raising the state's high school graduation rate. Just four months later, 348 Community Coaches are in place, meaning a staggering 94.6 percent of graduation coaches have a business community partner to help fulfill their mission.

"Our state's business leaders know first-hand how important it is for students to excel in school and become the knowledgeable, efficient workforce of tomorrow," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "I am humbled by the overwhelming response to this program."

In the past four years, Georgia's graduation rate has grown nearly eight percentage points and reached an all-time high of 70.8 percent last year. During last fall's campaign, Governor Perdue promised to extend his graduation coach program to middle schools in order to reach students before becoming disinterested and, in some cases, dropping out before ever reaching high school. Governor Perdue recognized graduation and community coaches at a pep rally at Mays High School this morning.

"Our graduation coaches across the state are doing a wonderful job identifying and helping those students that are most at-risk of dropping out," Governor Perdue said. "They often are offered assistance, but having to coordinate that help takes away from their job of directly impacting students. These community coaches will serve as a resource coordinator, allowing citizens in our communities to engage in this critical initiative."

Governor Perdue also recognized the business organizations that served on the steering committee that led the way in recruiting and placing coaches.  The committee is made up of the Metro Chamber, Georgia Partnership for Education Excellence, Georgia Chamber, Georgia Power, Communities in Schools, and the Georgia Department of Education.  Many local businesses and organizations have already implemented coaches in their community including: Georgia Tech, LeScot Enterprises, Medical Center of Central Georgia, AGL, Heritage Bank, IBM, Coca-Cola, Georgia Black Republican Council, Mohawk Industries, Buffalo Rock Company, AT&T, Chambers of Commerce in Henry, Clayton, Gilmer, Catoosa, Liberty, Heard, and Rome Counties, and a variety of other state and local government and civic associations.