Atlanta Public Education, Essay Example

Executive Summary

Atlanta has always had a positive and attractive academic record that was used by state politicians to gain votes. At one point in time, Georgia had an 80.9% graduation rate, a record in national education standards. This together a bourgeoning cosmopolitan unique to the south, many companies have look to conducting business in Georgia. However, the problems with Atlanta’s Public School system started four years ago. This was the largest cheating scandal in the history of the American Education system. Investigation into the matter revealed that 172 principals and teachers directly raised their student’s scores on the standardized tests that are meant to provide an equal playing field for all students (Cassidy 12). The success of the APS, administrators and students was misrepresented by the skewed tests of thousands of students.

Atlanta’s Public School system has suffered the impacts of the huge scandal as in 2012, numerous teachers were arraigned in court on charges of aiding cheating. Georgia further received a blow when it was required by federal law to revise the unprecedented 80% rate of graduation. The introduction of a new formula that applied to all states has seen these figures dip to 67.4% (Cassidy 21). This paints a bleak picture for Atlanta considering 5,000 students drop out of the public school system annually. The public schools in Atlanta record the second lowest graduation rate, 52%, in all school districts in Georgia.  In the metro Atlanta area, 20 schools could not manage to graduate even 50% of enrolled students (Cassidy 21).

Atlanta’s Public School system has further been dragged down by a 15% decrease in government spending on public schools. As a result of the QBE, the complicated funding formula that is used, public schools received $1 billion less in school year 2013-2014 than in the previous school year (Cassidy 23).

Proposed Changes

Teacher Recruitment Process

It is paramount that the teachers hired within Atlanta be highly qualified teachers. This is owing to the fact that the existing number of teachers are highly unprofessional and underqualified shown by the continual dismal performance of students in Atlanta. It is paramount that the recruitment process for teachers require the best qualifications available.

Performance Appraisal

The performance of educators has a direct implication on the performance of students. As such, it is vital to the success of the students and Atlanta’s Public School System. Owing to this, it is important that the APS setup regular performance appraisals on the teaching staff and management of all public schools.

Increased Funding

The amount of funding that an education institution receives has a considerable and direct impact on the performance of the institution in question.  It is therefore important that public schools receive and increase in government funds.

Action Rationale

The proposed course of action is the best approach to solve the identified problems for the following reasons:

• The new teacher recruitment standards will ensure that only quality staff are employed within the APS. This ensures that the goals and objectives of the APS are observed at all times.
• The performance appraisal strategies are set in place to ensure that the desired standards are adhered to. This is also meant to ensure that educators aim to deliver quality.
• The increased funding is meant to enable the academic institutions employ the best available talent, properly motivate educators and acquire the required resources to ensure success.

Conclusion

The above analysis reflects our strong belief that the proposed action to improve the quality of education in Atlanta, based on the identified problems would effectively achieve its intended purpose.

Works Cited

Cassidy, Christina A. “Budget, education among top Ga. legislative issues.” 11 January 2014. FoxAtlanta. Internet Source. 14 March 2014. <http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/24424991/budget-education-among-top-ga-legislative-issues#axzz2vwmCjor5>.

Child First USA. “Educating about Atlanta’s Education Problems.” 2012 June 2012. Child First USA. Internet Source. 14 March 2014. <http://childfirstusa.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/educating-about-atlantas-education-problems/>.

Rury, John L. Urban education in the United States : a historical reader. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2005. Print.