Governor Perdue, Superintendent Cox Announce Grants to 12 Schools

Governor Perdue, Superintendent Cox Announce Grants to 12 Schools

Schools get $66,000 to implement Online Accountability System

ATLANTA —  Governor Perdue and State School Superintendent Kathy Cox announced today the names of 12 schools that have been awarded grants to initiate the Comprehensive Academic Performance System (CAPS) program.  The pilot project is aimed at increasing student achievement. It is modeled after successful systems currently in use by schools in Gainesville and Glynn County.

The grants will be used to implement an accountability system and an online communications system that enables teachers to track student progress, individualize instruction and provide parents with regular information about the academic progress of their children.

“The Gainesville and Glynn County models of accountability are the closest thing to the ideal virtual scoreboard that I’ve ever seen,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.  “And like Coach Vince Lombardi said, if you’re not keeping score, you’re just practicing.”

State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox, a classroom teacher for 15 years, said the CAPS program reinforces the idea that data is an effective tool for education.

“Good data, used the right way, allows teachers to collaboratively target their instruction and keeps parents informed and involved,” said Superintendent Kathy Cox.  “I look forward to hearing from these 12 schools about the impact the CAPS program is having on improving student achievement and increasing parental involvement.”

Participants in the CAPS program will use a standards-based curriculum and will test students before teaching a certain set of standards.  The results of those tests will be used collaboratively by teachers to determine which areas of the curriculum and which students need extra attention.  After the unit is over, another assessment is given to measure student progress.  This process will be repeated throughout the school year.

The CAPS program uses a web-based communication system to give parents access to data about their children’s test scores and to provide the public with online access to performance data for local schools.

Each school will receive $50,000 to hire an instructional coach who will work with teachers on how to effectively use the data and information and $16,666 for development of the web-based accountability system.

The 12 schools were selected due to their commitment to standards-based education and a commitment to implementing the CAPS model.  The grants have been awarded to the following schools:  

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