Statement of Governor Sonny Perdue Regarding Adequate Yearly Progress Results

            ATLANTA, GA - Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement today regarding the 2004 Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) results released by the Georgia Department of Education:

            "Today's results show that when we set high standards in education, clearly define the level of performance we expect, and match those standards with real accountability, then our teachers, our schools, and our students will meet the challenge.  This improvement reflects Georgia educators, parents, and students rising to the challenge of improving school performance.

            "I am proud of what our teachers and students have accomplished.  We still have room to improve and there is more work to be done.  So as a new school year begins, let's take a good look at last year's progress as the starting point for what we will do this year.  I look forward to even better days ahead for Georgia schools."

            Seventy-eight percent, or 1,583 out of 2,028 schools, met the state's AYP standards, as required under the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act.  This year's total reflects a 14 percentage point increase in the number of Georgia schools that made AYP this year compared to 2003. Of those schools that did not make AYP, 279 came very close, making AYP in all but one area.