Jodi Smith Real Esate Agent

Fulton County High Schools Lead State in ACT Performance

 

Your North Metro Atlanta Realtor would like to share this important information with YOU! 

	Wednesday, August 19, 2009
	Seven Fulton County high schools are among the state’s leaders in ACT performance, according to information released today by the Georgia Department of Education and the ACT organization. During the 2009 testing cycle, 2,520 Fulton County students took the test – an increase of 267 students, or nearly 12 percent, from the previous year. While some schools saw changes in their performance, the overall Fulton County composite score remained constant at 22.2 and is the highest of the large metro Atlanta school systems. The state and national composite scores also stayed the same at 20.6 and 21.1, respectively. Scores range from 0 to 36. Click here to view school-by-school scores and comparisons between the 2008 and 2009 testing cycles.   In its release of information, the state Department of Education listed Chattahoochee High School (25.2 composite score) as Georgia’s top performing school. Riverwood International Charter School (25.0) also was noted, as was Milton High School (24.6), Northview High School (24.6), Alpharetta High School (23.9), Roswell High School (23.7) and Centennial High School (23.4). Riverwood also was highlighted as one of the state’s most improved schools in ACT performance.   “I’m pleased to see an increase of students taking the ACT. The test is an excellent predictor of how successful our students will be in a college environment,” said Superintendent Cindy Loe, Ph.D. “I’m proud that our students continue to do so well on this test and are outperforming their state and national peers.”   Similar to the SAT, the ACT is commonly used for college admission and placement. According to the organization, the test is taken by more than 50 percent of high school students in 27 states and is increasingly becoming the preferred admission test by four-year colleges. The test measures English, math, reading and science proficiency, with an optional writing section, whereas the SAT measures only math, reading and writing. Testing is voluntary and occurs throughout the year, and students are able to take the test more than once to improve their performance.   ACT originally stood for American College Testing but in 1996 the organization’s name was shortened to simply “ACT.” The organization was founded in 1959 and celebrates 50 years of college entrance testing this year.   Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, Atlanta Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Consultants in Roswell, Georgia.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL:  jodismith@kw.com

Jodi Smith Real Esate Agent

Cobb ACT Scores Rise in All Subjects

August 19, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Cobb ACT Scores Rise In All Subjects
Fifth consecutive year of improvement; top state & national averages

 

For the fifth consecutive year Cobb County’s college-bound seniors have improved the school district’s composite score on the ACT college-preparation test. Recently released scores show Cobb students increased their average score in every subject area of the test. Cobb students also topped state and national averages in all four subject areas, as well as in the composite average, just as they did in 2008, and even widened the margin of performance in 2009.

ACT scores for the class of 2009 indicate that Cobb graduates are well prepared for success in their first year of college. The 2009 seniors posted an average composite score of 22.1 (out of a possible 36), slightly higher than last year’s score of 22.0. The composite average was 1.5 points higher than the state average, and 1.0 points higher than the national average. Across the subject areas tested, Cobb students topped the national averages in English (+1.2), Math (+1.2), Reading (+1.1), and Science Reasoning (+0.6). The ACT assessment measures high school students’ overall educational development and their readiness for the challenge of core college classes. Cobb seniors’ composite average has topped the state and national average for 13 consecutive years.

“The ACT is valued more and more in college admissions, and these results show colleges and universities that Cobb County students are prepared for the rigors of college course work,” said Superintendent Fred Sanderson. “I’m very proud of the fact that we continue to show improvement, and our students are widening the gap between Cobb’s average and the national average in every subject.”

Students taking more rigorous classes in science or math tended to have higher ACT scores, promoting the value of enrollment in more advanced classes at the high school level. For example, Cobb students who participated in a high school math course sequence that included Algebra I and II, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus, had scores more than eight points higher than students with less than three years of math coursework. Similarly, students taking advanced science classes that included General Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics scored almost four points higher than those taking less than three years of science.

Results reflect the performance of 2,748 Cobb high school seniors (38 percent of all graduating seniors). Scores are for 2008-2009 seniors who took the ACT voluntarily in either their sophomore, junior or senior year of high school.

 

Scores for individual Cobb high schools are available on the District Web site.

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, Atlanta Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Consultants in Roswell, Georgia.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL:  jodismith@kw.com

Jodi Smith Real Esate Agent

EAST COBBER Parade & Festival

 

Your East Cobb Realtor would like to share this important information with YOU!

EAST COBBER, publisher of the EAST COBBER monthly paper and the annual EAST COBBER Community Guide extends its mission of building a sense of community by establishing a hometown tradition of a community parade and festival. As the producers of the first parade and festival in East Cobb County, the EAST COBBER aims to establish a strong network between schools, businesses, government and clubs to create a showcase event and annual tradition for East Cobb County. The EAST COBBER Parade and Festival aims to builds a sense of community and reinforce East Cobb’s status as one of the best places to live in the Atlanta area by giving thanks and special tribute to those who contribute to the quality of life in East Cobb: such as, principals, schools, clubs, elected officials, and civic leaders. Overall, the objectives of this special event are as follows: Spotlight the people who contribute to the quality of life in East Cobb County. Provide opportunities for various groups of the community to interact. Boost the image of East Cobb to external audiences as well as to help East Cobb residents feel good about living in East Cobb. Celebrate the arts by providing a showcase for local fine arts performers and groups at the Festival. Promote economic development by providing local businesses with an event that demonstrates their community support and allows company personnel to interact with prospects and customers. Because the EAST COBBER Parade & Festival is privately funded, contributions from local businesses are vital to keeping this tradition alive in East Cobb County. The 14th Annual EAST COBBER Parade & Festival happens Saturday, September 12th.  Parade starts at 10 am  ||  Festival opens at 11 am and closes at 3pm  To participate, click to download the Parade Application or the  Festival Exhibitor Application Questions? 770-640-7070   Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, Atlanta Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Consultants.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL:  jodismith@kw.com

Jodi Smith Real Esate Agent

2009-10 Cobb County Bus Route – Q&A

Your Atlanta Real Estate Agent wants to share this valuable information regarding the Cobb County Bus Route with YOU!

CCSD Transportation Department

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NEWEST INFORMATION!!!

All CCSD Bus Routes Finalized
All changes to Cobb County Shcool District bus routes and stops have been completed, based on input received from parents. The updated routes are available for viewing on our WebQuery system by clicking here. These stops will be in place for the first day of school Monday, August 10th.

Ongoing evaluation of all routes and pickup points will continue by Transportation staff. Parents with questions or concerns should contact Transportation at 678-594-8000.

Thank you for your patience and support throughout this process.

 

Please call 678-594-8000 for assistance with bus routes.
Because the school bus is an extension of the classroom, we are an integral part of the education of all students within our school district. Safety is high priority and a group effort. Students, parents, teachers, school administrators, and drivers are all assigned responsibility. We value each and every student and will emphasize that by treating each student with dignity and respect. We are committed to providing the safest, consistent, reliable transportation possible and will strive to continually upgrade our service to students and parents as it becomes possible.

 

Bus Route Information
The CCSD Bus Route WebQuery System helps you determine the schools a student is eligible to attend and the available bus stops. WebQuery also provides a helpful street map. Click here to enter the WebQuery System.

Bus Route Questions & Answers
Information for parents regarding changes to bus routes and pickup points

What is happening?
The school district is consolidating many of its bus stops in an effort to reduce transportation costs. For instance, subdivisions that previously had 15-20 stops may now have just two or three pickup points where students will gather and board the bus as a group. The district currently has more than 50,000 bus stops countywide. This plan would reduce those stops by about 20 percent.

Why?
The school district is in the midst of a financial crisis due to cuts in state funding. The recently approved Fiscal Year 2010 budget addressed a $58 million deficit with substantial cuts across all departments, including Transportation. Just this week the Governor announced reductions in funding that will result in an additional $10 million cut for Cobb County schools. The plan to consolidate bus stops will save approximately $1 million.

Are there any alternatives for substantial cost savings in Transportation?
One idea given consideration was to expand the current pickup radius to one mile (currently .5 mile) for elementary students, and to 1.5 miles (currently one mile) for middle and high school students.  The state requires districts to provide transportation only to students who live outside a 1.5 mile-radius of their school. Cobb has been well below that standard for years.  Expanding the pickup radius would have saved the district more money, but would have eliminated bus service to thousands of students. Therefore an alternative plan was developed.

How far will students have to walk to get to the new bus stops?
In most cases, no more than one half mile.

Will students be safe?
Yes, the safety of students is the district’s highest priority and was the top consideration in developing the plan to consolidate bus stops. Every effort has been made to ensure safe walking routes to bus stops. Students will not be required to cross busy two- and four-lane roads. And by gathering in groups at bus stops, students will be in a safer environment than they would waiting alone. Parental assistance and supervision with walking routes and bus stops, as always, will be an important part of ensuring safe transportation to and from school. Parents with legitimate safety concerns regarding the new stops may contact the Transportation Department at 678-594-8000.

Are there other benefits of consolidating bus stops?
Yes, with greatly improved efficiency in the routes of nearly 1,000 buses on the road each morning and afternoon, traffic flow throughout the county will improve. Additionally, the district anticipates fewer bus accidents with more than 1,400 back-ups and turnarounds eliminated from routes.

 

Call or Email me today for all of our Real Estate needs.  Jodi Smith, Atlanta Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Consultants in beautiful Roswell, Georgia.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL: jodismith@kw.com

Jodi Smith Real Esate Agent

Cobb County 2009-10 School Year At a Glance Calendar

Your Atlanta Real Estate Agent would like to share this important information with YOU!

http://www.cobbk12.org/generalinfo/calendars/2009-10/2009-10SchoolYearCalendar.pdf

 

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, Atlanta Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Consultants in Roswell, Georgia.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL:  jodismith@kw.com

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