Local School Data Set Shows Success and Challenges

The Georgia Department of Education sends a Longitudinal Data System (LDS) Snapshot of every legislative district.  I received District 108's numbers and I thought I would post some interesting nuggets [the category names are contained in the report, and not my descriptors]:

Arcado Elementary's population is comprised of 29.5% "Asian"; 21.2% "Black"; 23.3% "Hispanic"; and 23.3% "white".  Very diverse.

Ivy Prep's student population is comprised of 80.7% "Black" [highest concentration of "Black" students according to the report]

Parsons Elementary has a 42.7% "Asian" population [Highest]

Hopkins Elementary has a 70.6%"Hispanic" population [Highest], but several others are near that number as well.

Puckett's Mill Elementary has a 74.3%"White" population [Highest]

Rockbridge Elementary school has 96% of the students who qualify for free/reduced lunch [Highest].  15 other schools have 90+% of students who qualify for free/reduced lunch.

CRCT scores are above state averages, but  33% of EOCT test takers from Gwinnett county failed to meet expectations in Mathematics II, and 23% failed to meet expectations in "United States History."  For Math I -- 25% failed to meet expectations, and 21% failed for "Economics Business Free Enterprise" and 20% failed for "Biology".

There are certainly things to be proud of in these numbers, and some areas that we need to focus on for the future.  What these numbers do not reflect are the hard work and dedication our teachers and volunteers are putting in for these students.  I thank those who have dedicated their lives to educating children!

Please have a safe summer.

State Rep. B.J. Pak