Three Gwinnett Schools Identified in Lowest 78 List from DOE

In accordance with the terms of Georgia’s waiver from No Child Left Behind, the Georgia Department of Education released a list of the 78 worst performing schools in the state. The list identified the state’s “priority” schools - the criteria being those schools that consistently performed poorly on test or with low graduation rates. These schools will qualify for state assistance to help improve student achievements.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, there were 14 metro area schools, three of those in Gwinnett County. The Gwinnett Schools identified were Gwinnett InterVention Education Center East, Gwinnett InterVention Education Center West and Meadowcreek High School. Walton County school officials confirmed that there were no Walton County schools on the list.

According to the Department of Education website, as part of the waiver, the Georgia DOE will identify Priority Schools, Focus Schools, and Reward Schools. Achievement data from all core content areas and graduation rates will be used to identify these schools. At the end of the school year, these Priority Schools and Focus Schools will replace current Needs Improvement Schools. Reward Schools will replace the current Distinguished Schools designation. All designations will be announced by the fall.

Georgia was one of 10 states to be granted a waiver from the NCLB program.