Memorandum from Mary Kay Murphy
Mary Kay Murphy, Ph.D. District 3  School Board Member marykaymurphy@aol.com

June 11, 2007

Rigorous Courses, High Expectation, and Student Achievement 

Beginning in August 2007, Gwinnett County Public Schools will institute several new programs that reflect rigorous courses and high expectation of student achievement. These include the phase-out of high school technical-level core courses; more rigorous state tests to measure learning in Gwinnett; and the opening of the county’s only math-science-technology charter school at Duluth High School.

Each of these programs represents careful planning and considerable attention from the academic leaders of the Gwinnett County school system. Included among the changes are the following:

   1. Phase-Out of Technical Level Core Courses.

   Higher expectations and more rigorous curriculum lead to higher student        achievement, and, according to GCPS, a rigorous high school curriculum is the best academic preparing for the post-secondary and on-the-job learning that tomorrow’s workers will face after graduating.

   Beginning with the freshman class of 2007-08, GCPS will phase-out technical-level core courses—those in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. All students in the class of 2011 and beyond will be served in college preparatory, honors, and gifted/Advanced Placement courses. Students at Norcross High School also will be served by courses in the International Baccalaureate program—the only high school in Gwinnett County offering this curriculum.

   As a result, all students will have the option of pursuing a technical, college prep, or dual diploma, providing more opportunities for students. The phase-out begins with technical social studies courses in 2007-08, followed by freshman math in 2008-09, and science, language arts, and math for grades 10-12 in 2009-10. As part of GCPS’ commitment to helping students succeed, support classes or tutoring will be available for those who need additional help. 

   2. Rigorous State Tests to Measure Learning in Gwinnett

   Gwinnett County educators have a long-standing commitment to the benefits of a rigorous curriculum, quality instruction, and accurate assessments of student’s performance and predictive of high student achievement. Alignment of these three components—through the development and delivery of the school system’s Academic Knowledge and Skills curriculum as well as a comprehensive assessment program that initially included locally developed Gateway tests—has been a key to student success in Gwinnett over the last ten years.

   Since the original development of the AKS/Gateway program, the State of Georgia has made strides in strengthening its curriculum and raising expectations on state assessments to a level roughly equivalent to the multiple-choice sections of the elementary and middle school Gateway exams. As a result, GCPS will incorporate more of the State’s tests into its Gateway program next year with the certainty that students who pass will be ready for the next grade or level. 

   However, local expectations still will go beyond the State’s, as evidenced by the development of open-ended math sections, the implementation of the revised Gateway program at the elementary and middle school levels, and the system’s commitment to its high school writing Gateway test.

3. Math-Science-Technology Charter to Open at Duluth High School

   Duluth High School will be the site for three years of Gwinnett County Public Schools’ first charter school, the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology. In August 2007, 245 high school freshmen—coming from all 20 GCPS middle schools—will enroll in the School’s inaugural class. Principal Pat Blenke of Duluth High School will provide leadership for the Charter School during its three years on the Duluth campus.

   Until 2010, when renovations and additions are complete at the Charter School’s permanent facility near Maxwell High School of Technology in Lawrenceville, the Charter School will be housed at Duluth High. Each year, another freshman class will join the program until the school serves about 1,200 students in grades 9-12 in 2010-11.

   More than 50 higher education, community, and industry partners have committed support for the school, pledging to provide industry expertise, loaned staff, and opportunities for field experiences, as well as financial and equipment donations.

   The cutting-edge facility will focus on advanced instruction in engineering, biosciences, and emerging technologies—with forward-looking applications such as aerospace design, biotechnology, robotics, and nanotechnologies—along with opportunities for music performance, humanities, research, and expanded foreign language options, including Chinese and Japanese.

   “We know that today’s graduates are tomorrow’s employees,” reports CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks. “Gwinnett students educated in this world-class facility will be prepared for success in college and in a global economy. They will be prepared for a future with infinite possibilities.”

   As District III School Board member, it is a privilege to support the infusion of more rigor into the curriculum in our school system, to commit to the importance of high expectations for all students, and to participate in the innovative programs in the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology. 

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