GEORGIA: Graduation rates up for students in career pathway programs

GEORGIA: Graduation rates up for students in career pathway programs

Most high school students enrolled in career pathway programs in Georgia go on to earn their diplomas.

Across the state, 96 percent of seniors in career, technical and agricultural education programs graduated in 2017. That’s up from 94.8 percent in 2016, according to a report from the Georgia Department of Education. By contrast, Georgia’s high school graduation rate for all students was 80.6 percent in 2017 and 79.4 percent in 2016.

“Students need to be engaged and see the relevance of their education — and CTAE makes that happen,” state schools Superintendent Richard Woods said in a press release. “CTAE connects Georgia’s K-12 schools with business and industry, building a qualified pipeline of students who are ready to participate meaningfully in Georgia’s industries and communities…”

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A mother of two children with intellectual disabilities picks public school

A mother of two children with intellectual disabilities picks public school

Kelly Neal works in Macon but lives in Jones County so her two children with intellectual disabilities can attend a public school that can accommodate them.

The Telegraph. Mitch Jaugstetter and Paige Hill, Center for Collaborative Journalism

Program shows students that agriculture is more than just dirt, farming

Program shows students that agriculture is more than just dirt, farming

A new class at Rutland Middle School involves everything from goats and innovative plant-growing systems to drones and wood projects. The Macon school started its agribusiness program this year, and around 275 students are already involved.

It’s a connections class that students in grades six, seven or eight can take. Andrew Reeves and Robbie Bartlett came from Houston County schools to become the agribusiness teaching team this year. Rutland Middle is one of the only middle schools in the state to have two agribusiness teachers, Principal Richard Key said.

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