Improving Atlanta's
public school system
The Challenge
Metro Atlanta’s public education system is critical to the region’s long-term development as a world-class place to live and work. An educated home grown workforce is key to business recruitment and retention and has a significant impact on economic development. We support Atlanta Public Schools, which is mid-way through a 12-15 year reform plan to becoming one of the nation’s top-performing school systems. It is led by Dr. Beverly L. Hall, recently named National Superintendent of the Year.
2009 Call to Action
In 2009, the Chamber is extending its 27-year track record of being the door the business community walks through to get involved in education.
Key 2009 goals:
- Utilize Atlanta Partners for Education flagship programs (Principal For A Day, A+ Awards and State of Atlanta Schools) to heighten awareness of Atlanta Public Schools reforms and progress, and create public-private partnerships that support student achievement.
- Identify skills and workforce needs to advise APS as it designs small schools via “high school transformation” and provide support for making classroom instruction “real and relevant” to workforce needs.
- Develop summer internships for Atlanta Public Schools teachers.
- Assist APS in developing a marketing plan to better communicate with the business community about its achievement and the importance of its success to business.
- Impact school board governance. Support EduPAC initiatives to evaluate and endorse a slate of candidates for the Atlanta Public School Board, inform voters of the importance of school board elections and help get the vote out.
History of Chamber Leadership
The Chamber has steadfastly supported Superintendent Hall’s goal for APS to become the first fully reformed urban public school system in the nation.
Below are significant challenges Dr. Hall faced, where the Chamber helped produce tangible results:
Challenge: streamline reporting, reduce board micromanagement
Solution: Chamber pushed charter revisions on governance attorney and CFO now report to superintendent -- not board
Challenge: identify ways to improve school administration & operations
Solution: Chamber worked with Dr. Hall and Deloitte & Touche for an independent audit
Challenge: communicate APS successes
Solution: Chamber raised $45,000 for Manning Selvage & Lee comprehensive communications plan; Assisted with search for Atlanta Public Schools Chief Communications Officer
Challenge: train and educate board members
Solution: Chamber enlisted aid and funding from national Broad Foundation new board members participate in week-long training