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

July 13, 2009 

100% of District III Schools Make AYP 

Dear District III Community Members, 

We have great news for you regarding the results of the 2008-09 results in ALL Gwinnett County Public Schools in Norcross, Duluth, and Peachtree Ridge achieving Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). 

Congratulations to the principals, teachers, parents, students, staff, and community members for this tremendous achievement. 

These results were based on the success of students’ performance on the State of Georgia CRCT (Criterion Reference Competency Test). No school in the Norcross, Duluth, or Peachtree Ridge Clusters was placed on the State of Georgia’s “Needs Improvement” list. 

The Federal government’s “No Child Left Behind” legislation requires public schools meeting certain standards to achieve the designation of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). 

Of 108 Gwinnett schools required to meet state standards and achieve AYP in 2008-09, 105 made AYP for the 2008-09 academic year. A total of 97% of Gwinnett County Public Schools made AYP in 2008-09, compared to 96% making AYP in Gwinnett County in 2007-08. 

This year more public schools in Gwinnett made AYP than ever before. “This is a testament to the work of our schools, especially to work of our teachers who ensure that students learn and are prepared for the future,” reported Gwinnett Superintendent and CEO J. Alvin Wilbanks. 

“We realize that the standards for making AYP continue to increase and as a district we are committed to raising student achievement and meeting these standards. I am confident that as the achievement bar continues to rise, our schools will rise to the occasion, proving as they have this year that they are up to the challenge.” 

As District III School Board member, I want to add my congratulations and praise to ALL schools in Norcross, Duluth, and Peachtree Ridge for the diligence of students and their parents, for the devotion of teachers and staff, and for the academic leadership of the principals and their academic teams to make 100% AYP possible. 

Congratulations, as well, to the business partners, parents, and faculty members of the School Councils in each of these schools for their diligent leadership in establishing the goals for the 2008-09 Local School Plan for Improvement (LSPI), and for the resulting Results Based Evaluation System(RBES). 

In 2007, the Gwinnett County Board of Education adopted its Core Beliefs and Commitments. As District III School Board member, I believe there is a direct link between the establishment of these Core Beliefs and Commitments and the 97% county-wide and 100% Norcross/Duluth/

Peachtree Ridge-clusters passing rate on the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) rate. 

As we prepare to enter the 2009-10 academic year on August 3, 2009, I share these GCPS Board of Education’s Core Beliefs and Commitments with you for your review: 

Our core business is teaching and learning. 

All children can learn at or above grade level. 

All children should reach their learning potential. 

The school effect is important and has a profound impact on every child’s life. 

A quality instructional program requires a rigorous curriculum, effective teaching, and ongoing assessment. 

All children should be taught in a safe and secure learning environment. 

Of the six stated core beliefs and values, the one that has by far the most importance to me is #2: “All children can learn at or above grade level.” It is followed closely by #4: “The school effect is important and has a profound impact on every child’s life.” 

As I move from school to school in District III and throughout Gwinnett County, I deeply appreciate those principals, teachers, and staff that fully support the Board’s core belief that “All children can learn at or above grade level” 

Also, as I attend school events ranging from plays, honors and awards programs, and athletic events, I repeatedly observe the accuracy of the core belief that “The school effect is important and has a profound impact on every child’s life.” 

I wish much success to the students who will attend one of the 20 schools in District III in 2009-10. Also, I thank the teachers, staff, principals, parents, and business partners and community members for their support of public education and their commitment to local control of schools. 

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