(For a detailed chart showing results for the past five years, see below)
By Kristi Reed
A recently released study compiled by a Barrow County private citizen shows that while progress has been made in the Barrow County School system, work remains to be done.
A recent study showed that 22 percent of Winder-Barrow High School graduates and 28 percent of Apalachee High School graduates were enrolled in remedial coursework as college freshmen. The statewide average is 21 percent.
UPDATED: Study shows some Barrow graduates struggling
“In some respects, I think this [study] validates that some of the things they are doing are working,” Kenneth Young said. However, Young is still concerned about certain aspects of the report.
The results of the study indicate that even though SAT scores have improved, the number of Barrow County students requiring remedial education at the university level still exceeds state averages.
Young said the remediation represents double taxation for Barrow and Georgia taxpayers.
“It says a college prep degree is not really that for too many Barrow graduates in the University System of Georgia,” Young said.
Young compiled data for the past five years which shows that not only are Barrow County graduates required to enroll in remedial courses at a higher rate than state average, they also are struggling to retain their H.O.P.E. (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) scholarships.
In 2006, 22 percent of Winder-Barrow High School graduates and 28 percent of Apalachee High School graduates were enrolled in remedial coursework as college freshmen. While both schools’ graduates showed improvement from 2005, they lagged behind the state average remedial enrollment of 21 percent.
Young said these numbers are a better indicator of college success than SAT scores.
“If you have a college prep degree, [remedial enrollment] ought to be zero,” he said.
The study also showed that 76 percent of University System of Georgia (USG) students from Apalachee High School and 73 percent of USG students from Winder-Barrow High School received a H.O.P.E. scholarship as entering freshman.
In order to keep the scholarship, students are required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average (GPA). The study showed that Winder-Barrow graduates ended their freshman year with an average GPA of 2.7 and Apalachee graduates finished the year with an average of 2.4, well below the H.O.P.E. minimum. The state average in 2006 was 2.6.
While H.O.P.E. retention rates for Barrow County School graduates were unavailable, the average GPA indicates that the number likely falls below the state average of 36 percent.
Young worries that these results show that Barrow graduates are not adequately prepared for the rigors of college.
“If they can’t compete with other Georgia students, how are they going to compete with the world?” he asked.
Young maintains that the information he obtained from the University System of Georgia regarding remedial instruction is the school system’s best indicator of their final product.
“My assumption is the better college prep graduates are produced, the better the other graduates will be, whether technical or other,” he said.
Barrow County Superintendent of Schools Ron Saunders said the school system takes these results seriously and that both principals and board members are made aware of the findings.
Saunders said the results show that the 2005 decision of the Barrow County Board of Education to increase and strengthen the college prep diploma was very proactive and should lead to better results with the system’s class of 2007 graduates and beyond.
As for the 2006 and earlier results, Saunders questioned why the University System of Georgia would accept students from Barrow County that were not at the college level according to USG standards.
“Why would a college accept students who are in need of remediation?” Saunders asked.
Barrow’s current college prep requirements are among the toughest in the state, he added.
“Since we have enacted these graduation requirements, our SAT scores have improved, our High School Graduation Test results have improved, and our End of Course Tests have improved – all above the state average,” he said. “I think anyone can see that we want all of our students to be prepared academically for success in the world – whether it be a four year college, technical college, or direct into the job market.”
The results of the study indicate that even though SAT scores have improved, the number of Barrow County students requiring remedial education at the university level still exceeds state averages.
Young said the remediation represents double taxation for Barrow and Georgia taxpayers.
“It says a college prep degree is not really that for too many Barrow graduates in the University System of Georgia,” Young said.
Young compiled data for the past five years which shows that not only are Barrow County graduates required to enroll in remedial courses at a higher rate than state average, they also are struggling to retain their H.O.P.E. (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) scholarships.
In 2006, 22 percent of Winder-Barrow High School graduates and 28 percent of Apalachee High School graduates were enrolled in remedial coursework as college freshmen. While both schools’ graduates showed improvement from 2005, they lagged behind the state average remedial enrollment of 21 percent.
Young said these numbers are a better indicator of college success than SAT scores.
“If you have a college prep degree, [remedial enrollment] ought to be zero,” he said.
The study also showed that 76 percent of University System of Georgia (USG) students from Apalachee High School and 73 percent of USG students from Winder-Barrow High School received a H.O.P.E. scholarship as entering freshman.
In order to keep the scholarship, students are required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average (GPA). The study showed that Winder-Barrow graduates ended their freshman year with an average GPA of 2.7 and Apalachee graduates finished the year with an average of 2.4, well below the H.O.P.E. minimum. The state average in 2006 was 2.6.
While H.O.P.E. retention rates for Barrow County School graduates were unavailable, the average GPA indicates that the number likely falls below the state average of 36 percent.
Young worries that these results show that Barrow graduates are not adequately prepared for the rigors of college.
“If they can’t compete with other Georgia students, how are they going to compete with the world?” he asked.
Young maintains that the information he obtained from the University System of Georgia regarding remedial instruction is the school system’s best indicator of their final product.
“My assumption is the better college prep graduates are produced, the better the other graduates will be, whether technical or other,” he said.
Barrow County Superintendent of Schools Ron Saunders said the school system takes these results seriously and that both principals and board members are made aware of the findings.
Saunders said the results show that the 2005 decision of the Barrow County Board of Education to increase and strengthen the college prep diploma was very proactive and should lead to better results with the system’s class of 2007 graduates and beyond.
As for the 2006 and earlier results, Saunders questioned why the University System of Georgia would accept students from Barrow County that were not at the college level according to USG standards.
“Why would a college accept students who are in need of remediation?” Saunders asked.
Barrow’s current college prep requirements are among the toughest in the state, he added.
“Since we have enacted these graduation requirements, our SAT scores have improved, our High School Graduation Test results have improved, and our End of Course Tests have improved – all above the state average,” he said. “I think anyone can see that we want all of our students to be prepared academically for success in the world – whether it be a four year college, technical college, or direct into the job market.”
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#1
anonymous
on
10/04/08 at 04:23 AM
[Reply]
Mr. Young's work is outstanding! Just think a private citizen taking a look at the facts and then reporting. Let's see if the BOE can find other areas that need reporting as well. You can not improve what you don't understand and measure. Thank you Mr. Young.
#2
MollyRose
on
02/06/09 at 02:59 PM
[Reply]
I wish Barrow Co officials would put their focus toward new and better schools. The new "courthouse" could have probably built two schools which we desperately need. The BCMS looks like a juvenile detention center and is located in a sketchy neighborhood at best. I can't stand the thought of my little daughter attending school there in 3 years from now. Until official do something about the education deficits in Barrow, people with families will continue to avoid this area and many will continue to move back to Gwinnett.
By Kristi Reed A recently released study compiled by a Barrow County private citizen shows that while progress has been made in the Barrow County School system, work remains to be done.“In some respects, I think this [study] validates that some of the th ...