Gwinnett Wins

Gwinnett Wins Prestigious Broad Prize for Urban Education

Congratulations to Gwinnett trict, was cited for increases in average County Public Schools, which, SAT scores among African-American along with Orange County students, among other achievements. In Public Schools (Florida), won the pres- 2013, 88 percent of Gwinnett County’s tigious 2014 Broad Foundation Prize for high school seniors took the SAT, Urban Education. As co-winners, the including 90 percent of the district’s two districts shared a $1 million prize African-American seniors. The district and each received $500,000 in college ranked in the top 20 percentile statewide scholarships for seniors. for the percentage of low-income stu-

Gwinnett, Georgia’s largest school dis- dents hitting top levels on state exams in reading, math and science. The award is unusual in Georgia’s largest school that districts cannot nominate district was cited for themselves. Nominees are chosen from large urban districts increases in average SAT nationwide that meet criteria scores among African- for enrollment and percentages of low-income students, American students, among among other factors. In 2013, other achievements. 55 percent of Gwinnett students qualified for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program.

A second-time winner, Gwinnett won the prize in 2010 and was a 2009 finalist. Among the four national finalists, an education research team spends four days in each district, talking with more than 200 employees. A selection jury of national leaders in education and public service then uses the quantitative data and information gathered during the intensive visits to choose the winner.

“We were impressed with Gwinnett County’s steady, sustainable gains,” former Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell, a member of the selection jury, stated in a press release. Gwinnett Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks and school board members were at the award ceremony in New York City where U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan made the announcement in September. n

Officers President Leslie Mills President-Elect Stephanie Davis Howard Treasurer Lamar Scott Past-President Dr. Emily Felton Secretary Kelli De Guire

DirectOrs

District 1 District 8

Amy Denty Lindsey Raulerson

District 2 District 9

Dr. Todd Cason Miranda Willingham

District 3 District 10

Allison Scenna Shannon Hammond

District 4 District 11 Rochelle Lofstrand Dr. Sandra Owens

District 5 District 12

Nick Zomer Donna Graham

District 6 District 13 Dr. Susan Mullins Dr. Hayward Cordy

District 7 TBA Ex-Officio Megan King The articles published in PAGE One represent the views of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, except where clearly stated.

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