Is there enough HOPE for Georgia?
Before I go into today’s topic we have some housekeeping.
Today is my last regular post for Get Schooled. You’ll still see my name as I write about higher education, but the talented Maureen Downey takes over the blog Monday. Many of you already know her from her weekly Learning Curve column and editorials about education issues.
Now, to today’s topic. Over the past few weeks I’ve been talking with several college officials about the upcoming school year. Inevitably, the conversations turned to HOPE.
The program — Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally – pays for the tuition, books and fees for Georgia students who maintain a 3.0 average.
Some officials – at least those at private colleges – wondered why the amount HOPE students receive to attend their institutions is less than what students would get for a public college.
If the goal is to keep bright students in Georgia, why not spread the wealth evenly they asked?
Others wondered if HOPE was fair, especially for late bloomers. Many students struggle during the first few years in high school. Students who turn their grades turn around during junior and senior years likely can’t get their GPAs high enough to be eligible for the scholarship.
Some would argue these students are capable and have the skills to succeed in college. Where’s the money for them?
Many also said Georgia is in need of a HOPE-like needs-based scholarship.
Nearly all colleges offer scholarships for students from low-income homes, but some say the state should provide for these students.
Do you think HOPE is meeting Georgia’s needs? If not, how would you change the program?
STORY HELP: A co-worker is writing a back-to-school story looking at who is volunteering in schools. If your PTA or school has an interesting group — whether it be all fathers or all grandparents or employees from a local company — we want to hear from you. Send a note to gstaples@ajc.com if you’d like to participate.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
112 comments Add your comment
catlady
July 31st, 2009
8:57 am
With the advent of HOPE, Georgia quit funding the SSIG program, which was federally assisted. Poor kids lost out.
Private colleges, pre HOPE, got 1500$ per year. Now they get $3000. They should be glad they are getting any assistance at all.
State taxpayers are already on the hook for about $12,000 per student per year that tuition/HOPE does not pay. That is $12,000 we pay for the kids who receive HOPE and go party for a year to “find themselves.” We would do better to limit HOPE to TRULY deserving kids, and increase the allotment for poor, but talented, and hardworking, kids.
Joy in Teaching
July 31st, 2009
9:16 am
HOPE has become another entitlement program and 3.0 is, in my opinion, just not good enough of a GPA requirement for students to obtain and keep HOPE.
People think that the public school systems receive HOPE money, but that is no longer the case. When the program originally started, the money was to go toward Pre K, college tuition, and technology needs for public schools. The original GPA requirement was 3.5 but was lowered because too many college bound high school or college students couldn’t seem to obtain and keep that type of average.
Private schools shouldn’t be getting public money period. That’s why they are called PRIVATE schools.
Unfortunately, we have a governor and a legislature who seem to think that every kid in the state should go to college whether they have the skills or inclination.
HOPE should be expanded to improve techical and career education in high schools. I think that is the only hope that many of our students really have in order to succeed in the world these days.
Seen it all
July 31st, 2009
9:20 am
Is there enough HOPE? Yes, we have too much HOPE. The program has ruined because the standards were set TOO LOW to to EARN a scholarship. Then parents and students pressured teachers and schools to lower standards and give away “good” grades. Now people who have no business getting anything for free or even going to college are going to these schools and wasting time and money.
alm
July 31st, 2009
9:21 am
‘Maureen Downey takes over the blog Monday.’
Oh my this should be interesting.
DJ
July 31st, 2009
9:25 am
The HOPE program is a massive “bait and switch” on parents and students. Students think they are qualified due to grade inflation in the high schools. They use the scholarship get into a four year college then 40 % lose the HOPE due to low grades (even in remedial classes). The kid is in a school with friends and wants to stay. The parent or students keep coughing up big bucks when the kid belongs at a community college or a vocational school in the first place.
The sense of failure to the student is a by-product of all this. The student has never had to realize that college is very hard to make grades. The other issue is that students take soft subjects to keep their good grades. They are not challenged to take unfamiliar subjects that get them low grades. They then earn degrees in fields that do not pay above average wages.
These are some of the unintended consequences of this system that does not offer Hope.
Be realistic
July 31st, 2009
9:27 am
There are those who think that everyone should go to college (at least that is what it seems when so many are taking the SAT). If everyone could go to college and make it academically, then who would do all of the lower paying jobs? Let’s face it, we need people to be clerical workers, to clean buildings, to work in school cafeterias.
So as for HOPE, it should be available to those who want to go to technical or vocational school. That might allow some people to find what they really want to do. College is not for everyone – and many college graduates don’t even use their degrees in their jobs.
VAN
July 31st, 2009
9:48 am
I agree with DJ. High schools are inflating grades so that students are HOPE eligible. This completely sets students up for failure and disappointment.
Once students begin college, they have a wake-up call. They realize that their freshman year isn’t the 13th grade and that they actually have to study and work for their grade. They panic when they think they’ll make less than a B and beg professors to help them keep HOPE. They no longer have much of a drive to learn, but to keep HOPE. Parent’s don’t help much by threatening the student to pull them out of school if they don’t keep HOPE. Therefore, if a student thinks they’ll make a C or lower (which is perfectly normal in college) in a class, they’ll drop the class.
The intention behind HOPE is wonderful, but the current system isn’t working. Perhaps a solution would be to offer the HOPE scholarship after the student’s freshman year.
Requiem
July 31st, 2009
9:50 am
An education reporter ran this blog? I thought it was a software program, designed to spit out subject matter that didn’t conflict with the AJC’s political agenda.
HMorgan
July 31st, 2009
9:55 am
Thanks, Laura. You have done a great job with the topics here. You will be missed.
Lee
July 31st, 2009
9:58 am
Let’s see, where to begin…
HOPE is a GOVERNMENT program. As such, the government has a vested interest to fund GOVERNMENT colleges. Agree with it or not, it’s a pretty simple concept.
I’ve posted this time and time again, but make HOPE a reimbursement program where the student pays his tuition up front, gets his grades, and then gets REIMBURSED for those classes in which he passed. This would eliminate much of the grade inflation pressure at the high school level and also eliminate the “go for a year, lose HOPE, and drop out” student at the college level.
Do ya think Maureen Downey can come up with some fresh topics? This is what, about the 50th time we’ve blogged about HOPE?
Teach
July 31st, 2009
10:02 am
Good luck, Laura! Thanks for your hard work and professionalism.
jim d
July 31st, 2009
10:18 am
and Get Schooled goes the way of many a blog—-down the toilet!
jim d
July 31st, 2009
10:20 am
this will be fun to watch though–about the first time she slams teachers and gets a thousand or two posts from whiny a$$ed teachers
jim d
July 31st, 2009
10:24 am
Laura,
this ones for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6oHxq77_MI
William Casey
July 31st, 2009
10:32 am
The HOPE scholarship is one of the best things to happen to education in Georgia in spite of the inevitable grade inflation in high schools. It provides OPPORTUNITY. Not everyone belongs in college which many will find out regardless of HOPE. But, they get a chance. My son, Beau, did well at Northview High School (2070 SAT, 93 GPA, Cum Laude, AP Scholar, etc.) but he knows that if he messes around and loses the HOPE, the $60,000 I’ve saved for his other college expenses will go for a down payment on a condo at the beach for me. Want to bet that he’ll keep the HOPE and not end up a drunken fool on U-Tube?
Jake
July 31st, 2009
10:37 am
Reimbursement is perfect. For those that argue coming up with a year’s tuition and R&B up fron will be a barrier to some of the poorest HOPE was intended to help I suggest they work and save first. Then they would really value their educational opportunity. Nothing for private schools and nothing for vocational schools. The quality of all our lives is primarily determined by the top 10%. Throwing money at the culls is just a waste of money. And $3000 is less than 10% the cost of attending most private schools, making it meaningless and worthless.
Stevie-B
July 31st, 2009
10:49 am
I am a student at UGA. As is my younger brother. I currently have HOPE, my little brother just lost it. My fee’s after HOPE for the fall are $145. My brothers was around $3,000. I am glad HOPE is around. HOPE is not hard to keep. While some people are smarter than other, keeping a 3.0 GPA is not that hard. My brother is smarter than me, I just worked harder than he did so I kept HOPE. I think HOPE is a great thing, it is very attainable for any high school student to make. (GA is still near the bottom of the country in education, school’s in GA are not hard), if anything they should make the GPA requirement higher.
jim d
July 31st, 2009
10:57 am
and this ones for Ms. Downey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtXN_EHPwSg
MyOpinion
July 31st, 2009
10:58 am
It is funny how many people think that there is grade inflation in high schools by the teachers. It is the Georgia Administration that created this inflation. Around 2003 Georgia stopped using the 3.0/4.0 scale to determine if a student is eligible for HOPE and started allowing students with an 80/100; 85/100 on the numeric scale to receive HOPE. This new grading system allowed many students who initially had below a 3.0 to receive HOPE. They have just recently changed these procedures.
Moreover, HOPE is not a financial need based scholarship. Even if your parents make $500,000 a year, as long as you have and maintain a 3.0, is a resident of Georgia, are in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements, have no priors for drugs, and are not in default or owe a refund on a student financial aid program; you are eligible for HOPE.
HOPE needs to be revamped. I do feel that students today feel that they are entitled to HOPE and do the bare minimum to meet the requirements. I feel that HOPE should be open to vocational/trade schools and the high school GPA requirements should be raised to a 3.3/4.0. College requirements should remain the same (Harder to maintain GPA due to many factors not present in high school).
@DJ – Students realize that college is harder than high school, they just underestimate how much so. I know plenty of students that lost HOPE their freshman year because they spent too much time partying, and not enough time studying. With the institution of NCLB, many schools decided to mix the advanced with the average and below-average students to provide help for these students. With this method, advance students never had to work for an ‘A’ because in high school they were able to easily grasp the information and fly through the course work. Now in college they do not have the study habits required to maintain their college GPA’s thinking that they could still do what they did in high school to make an ‘A’; which was no longer the case.
Local student
July 31st, 2009
11:18 am
HOPE is available for technical schools and diplomas. The program (called the HOPE grant) has no requirements for a 3.0 either in H.S. or tech school. It’s perfect for those students who aren’t looking to be brain surgeons.
BABY SAY
July 31st, 2009
11:32 am
BABY SAY KOOOOODOS TOO LAURA!!!! WELLCOM TU MOEREEEN !! BABY SAY KEEEP HOP A-LIVE!!!
whiney a$$ teachers
July 31st, 2009
11:36 am
jim d,
No doubt you’ve made many a valid point about how teachers contribute to their own demise by not standing up for themselves. But I hope you wouldn’t use that to validate in the least many of the legitimate criticisms of Downey, and the very biased approach she takes to education issues.
Too many times her choice of subject matter seems more designed as apparent political cover that’s pushing a political agenda of the AJC as opposed to using her platform to promote more honesty and integrity in public education.
Remember this is the same Downey who wrote a column praising an administrator for “candor” when that administrator was belittling staff members.
Yet when, if ever, has she shown an appreciation for that same candor when it comes to Napolealvin?
I think you see my point.
Toni Green
July 31st, 2009
11:39 am
Hello I am Toni Green and I was reading your article and I found it too be very informative and interesting, however I would like to ask you a question? Do you feel that there are enough CNA Programs in Georgia, or do you feel that there should be more CNA Training Programs open to the public that is affordable to all residents of Atlanta Georgia due to the very low economic status of many individuals. I would galdly be interested in opening up such a program that would help the education and economic situation of many individuals. If I could kinda get some feed back of how the public view the need for this type of service it would allow me to investigate more with the State of Georgia and FIA Offices regarding the requirements require to open up a program. I am a Register Nurse, RN BSN, whom have 18 years of experiences in the field of Nursing and would be gald to assist all young adults in developing a career choice that would be only a steping stonein a career choices that can lead to endless avenue in this professional field. Please provide me with as much feed back as possible.
Way Down South
July 31st, 2009
11:42 am
State officials have killed accountability and motivation for Georgia students.
jim d
July 31st, 2009
11:49 am
whiney a$$ teachers,
my opinon of ms. downy’s articles is much lower than any opinon I have ever voiced in regards to teachers. I know this may be hard to believe, but I actually hold most teachers in relatively high regard. I generally dis. only those that, in my opinon, have chosen the wrong profession.
All i was saying is that there are many teachers that will come to this blog just to blast her, yet will do little to actually help themselves. Does that make sense?
jim d
July 31st, 2009
11:55 am
Toni,
I’m aware of several CNA programs that friends are currently enrolled in–they are economically affordable and apparently quite a few available in the area. I would suggest that an indivudal may have a hard time starting one up and making it self sufficent in these economic times.
Northview (Ex)Teacher
July 31st, 2009
12:08 pm
Bear Casey,
Welcome back. I have missed you.
What do you think about Spalla becoming the principal at Northview? Why is it that only total pieces of crap (remember Bob Burke and Bobby Macris?) seem to thrive in Fulton County Schools?
One thing’s for sure: no parent will ever have to worry about academics getting in the way of grades so long as Spalla is in charge.
HopeRecipient
July 31st, 2009
12:17 pm
I receive HOPE, have always maintained above a 3.6 and am surprised by the amount of angst towards this program. If it were not for HOPE, I literally could not afford an education. I could afford the child care, let alone tuition and campus fees.
I am thankful this program exists, but I get extremely angry when I see other students getting the same funds and literally doing a fraction of the work. Perhaps a testing process should be instated so that all students receiving HOPE funds meet a standard.
Although they could use this as an opportunity to just set another standard too low .
jim d
July 31st, 2009
12:20 pm
To the question at hand.
Get Schooled Is there enough HOPE for Georgia?
No there is NO hope for Georgia in k-12 education until such time as CHOICE is allowed, much the same as it is in our college system. Seems our Colleges are doing a pretty damn good job at weeding out those that should not be there. Be NICE if our High schools could do the same–saving HOPE for those that are willing to work for it.
whiney a$$ teachers
July 31st, 2009
12:23 pm
jim d,
Yes when you put it that way, it totally makes sense. Here’s what I hope jim d. I hope you and others will ask the same tough questions of Maureen, and the tone and scope of her coverage of education issues, as you have asked of Napolealvin.
The press has a role to play as far as bringing light to the wrongdoings of educational officials who, let’s not forget, are supported with our tax dollars. On that front, Downey’s coverage leaves a lot to be desired, and it is my hope that readers will challenge her on this, and not pander to her.
Now does that make sense?
jim d
July 31st, 2009
12:28 pm
WAT,
Perfectly, and if you’ve been reading these blogs you will understand that I never back away from a challenge. Matter of fact, I rather look forward to many unsolved opprotunities and confronting those that are full of BS.
Rosie
July 31st, 2009
12:49 pm
Why not suggest a few topcis for Maureen since this topic has been blogged to death?
jim d
July 31st, 2009
12:50 pm
I think a good blog topic for today would have been. Will more blog entries disappear once Ms. Downey takes the reigns of the “GET SCHOOLED BLOG”?
I would be a bit hesitant to wager one way or another on that issue as Ms. Downey appears to have little tolerance for differing opinons. Hope she has thick skin!!
jim d
July 31st, 2009
1:01 pm
Ms Downey,
If you ever run out of blog topics you might ask the question as to why state law makers and enforcement continue to refuse to go after school boards that vote behind closed doors when our A/G (Thubert Baker) is on record stating that doing so is in direct violation of our state constitution?
Have you the courage to ask?
A good starter question
July 31st, 2009
1:04 pm
I think this would be a good starter question, and I would hope that many others join the bandwagon and let’s just find out, from the get go, if Maureen will conduct herself with integrity and accountability.
Downey wrote a column praising an administrator for “candor” when that candor was comprised of belittling the teachers on staff.
Shortly thereafter, the governor made front page news on Downey’s very paper calling the APS denial of the cheating scandal outrageous.
Did Downey “candidly” address this? What did Downey, in her “candid” opinion think was more important than addressing an issue that strikes at the very credibility of the education system?
The question I would love for multiple people to ask is, if Downey is going to be complicit in protecting selected officials with her silence on a scandal that made front page news, why should the readers of this blog give Downey any credibility?
I really truly hope, no pun intended, that the reader of this blog care enough about the issues facing education in Georgia to skip the pleasantries and confront Downey directly on where her editorial coverage has done a great disservice to the citizens of this state, and the way their education tax dollars have been spent.
jim d
July 31st, 2009
1:25 pm
Votes must be public??
WHAT MEETINGS ARE OPEN?
The law applies to every state, county or municipal department, agency, board, bureau, commission or authority. It applies to every city, county or regional authority, including development and hospital authorities. These applications include any committee of its members created by any of the above authorities. It also applies to private entities that carry out the functions of a public agency, e.g. private companies which take over the operations of public hospitals. It applies to personnel board hearings (except for deliberations), Tax Equalization Boards, and to coroner’s inquests. It also applies to any non-profit organization that receives at least a third of its funds from state or local tax revenues.
Meetings occur when by prior arrangement there is a quorum of the members of a governing body or agency or of any committee of its members, and public business is discussed or presented. See O.C.G.A. 50-14-1.
WHAT MEETINGS CAN BE LEGALLY CLOSED?
A governmental agency is not required to close any meeting; however, it may vote in public to close a meeting to:
—Conduct an inspection of physical facilities under its jurisdiction.
—To meet with government officials outside the jurisdiction; e.g., attend conventions or meet with officials at the Capitol.
—Discuss future “acquisition” of real estate. However, notice that such a meeting is taking place must be given and minutes taken. When the deal is either completed or abandoned, those minutes must be disclosed. Votes must be public.
—Privileged consultations with an attorney regarding pending or potential legal action or claims. However, a meeting with an attorney to discuss the legality of closing a meeting must be open.
—Discuss employment, periodic evaluations or disciplinary actions regarding a public officer or employee. However, the presentation of evidence or argument in disciplinary cases must be open. And any action taken must occur at an open meeting. Meetings to discuss personnel policies in general must be open.
—An agency may also vote to close meetings where discussing security against criminal terrorist threats where closure is necessary to protect life, safety and property.
—Also, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles may close its meetings while deliberating or voting, or if the board determines that witnesses would be at risk if the meeting was open.
—Staff meetings held for investigative purposes as required by law may be closed, as well as meetings of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation or other law enforcement bodies; adoption proceedings; and hospital authority meetings when discussing the awarding or revocation of staff privileges, or the granting of abortions. Hospital Authorities may also discuss competitive plans and strategies in a closed meeting.
—Note: The General Assembly is exempt from provisions of the Open Meetings Act. See O.C.G.A. 15-14-13.
whiney a$$ teachers
July 31st, 2009
1:56 pm
With all due respect jim d,
I think the first questions need to be directed at Downey herself, to establish her credibility, and her willingness to hold herself accountable for the way she will conduct herself on this blog, and the topics she will focus coverage on, and her willingness to communicate with the very readers who ultimately pay her salary.
Does that make sense?
jim d
July 31st, 2009
2:24 pm
WAT,
Agreed.
So Ms. Downey,
Where’s an article condeming the practice of Gwinnett Counties BOE for violation of Georgia law? Of Mr. Thurbert Baker for failing to carry out his offices charge of enforcement of Georgia’s Sunshine laws?(50-18-73 (a) ) and The superior courts of this state for failing to do their job of enforcement as well?
ScienceTeacher671
July 31st, 2009
4:46 pm
As long as we’re asking for investigative reporting, I’d like to know how much the state is paying to develop the new Georgia math curriculum, which apparently is not being used in other states. We have the new curriculum, new standardized tests, new textbooks – and who is benefiting from this? Were consultants hired to develop the curriculum? Who is developing and printing the new tests? Which textbook companies get Georgia’s business? And who is training the teachers, and how much is it costing the state and districts across the state to train teachers and buy new books?
HS
July 31st, 2009
4:52 pm
Parents and students in high school insist on taking the least restrictive environment to get the Hope Scholarship and not the best way to prepare for a long term positive academic achievement in college. So, they get a good GPA, get into a college of choice with Hope scholarship. Sounds like a good deal for college, student and parents till they blow it in the first year.
I think they should be allowed to loose the scholarship after 1 semester rather than one year. Also, the performers getting more than a 3.5 GPa in college could be allowed additional funds for books and other fees. Incentive for doing well should be available and related to the demands of a HS curriculum. Reward those willing to work and achieve!
The Hope Grant is an excellent program for those students that want a shorter and more career targeted education.
Will teachers and parents step up on Monday?
July 31st, 2009
5:06 pm
Teachers are constantly complaining that they are being denigrated by the media and that the concerns that hamper their ability to do their jobs are rarely, if ever addressed.
Come Monday, teachers have a chance to directly confront one of the main architects of that in the AJC, Maureen Downey. This is not some lowly reporter whose hands were tied; this is a member of an editorial board that has been notorious for its lack of support of teachers, and its lack of willingness to address issues that negatively impact teachers.
If you want your voice heard, Monday is the day. Do not let Downey or the AJC off the hook, by steering the conversation to the subject du jour, with a few platitudes and possibly even some softball questions served up by sycophant posters.
Even as the AJC prides itself on being a watchdog, there is plenty of evidence, even in today’s blog, that it has been a speak, see, and hear no evil lapdog of the status quo.
It’s been easy for Downey to carry on her agenda, when the AJC can pick and choose which letters to publish, and who to allow a forum for speaking. Monday is the day to see if Downey will address those she has attacked over the years, and has the willingness and integrity to address her readers, the ones who in the end are paying her salary. None of that can happen if readers don’t make it happen. For years people have complained about the editorial coverage in the AJC.
Monday is your chance to address it.
HOPE parent
July 31st, 2009
6:49 pm
My daughter just graduated from a Georgia college having kept the scholarship all four years.
We are not a rich family, and we are not a poor family – both our cars were bought used and paid in full, we live in a modest 3 BR/2 BA 60s style ranch – paying out of pocket would’ve been a budget issue. HOPE allowed my daughter to get through school with out taking out student loans – and that was the hugest benefit. She will be starting out without the cloud of debt that so many in our same “financial class” are burdened with.
HOPE should remain what the voters voted for – the original 3-pronged approach of pre-k, college tuition, and technology. If cuts need to be made, then reduce the amount going to private colleges. I don’t have an issue with either increasing the required GPA from HS or college, attaching a minimum SAT/ACT score, or turning it into a reimbursement program.
I have a huge problem with turning it into a needs-based scholarship – there are lots of funds out there that are needs-based, however responsible people who scrimp and save and put money aside throughout their children’s school years are penalized when it comes to traditional needs-based financial aid. HOPE was not designed to be that – it was designed to reward scholarship.
Reality 2
July 31st, 2009
8:55 pm
Science Teacher 671
The new GA math standards, K-12, were developed by a committee of georgia educators – teachers, univ professors – and maybe even some business inputs. That was DONE 5-6 years ago.
Georgia is an adoption state, meaning every 6 (or so) years, a subject matter textbooks are “adopted” – of course, “adoption” is a bit misleading term because basically what happens is that the state develops an “approved” textbooks list, and if a school district pick one from the list, the state contributes to the purchase of the book. A district may purchase something else, but then they don’t get the money, or at least not as much. The adoption process for HS math took place 2 years ago (I think). I don’t know where you can find the list of approved textbooks, but I’m sure it’s somewhere on the web.
No one is particularly benefiting from the textbook adoption this time around any more than any other adoption cycle. The state dept of ed developed math frameworks which seemed to have become a defacto textbook for many schools – but they were developed by GA math teachers and math educators. I’m sure they got paid but anywhere near as much as they could have gotten from a private publisher. Besides, the end product is freely available on-line, so it is not costing schools any money other than making copies. I imagine some publishers may not be happy about that.
I think the training is provided by the DOE personnell mostly, and people at the various RESAs, I imagine.
You somehow seem to think that it is completely different math, but I encourage you to actually look at the released EOCT items. They are doing mostly the same mathematics – perhaps some statistics/probability topics may be new, but they are probably much more practical and needed in today’s world than quadratic equations. Topics are simply packaged differently.
I have no idea who the test makers are for the EOCT, but I don’t see any reason why it should cost any more than EOCT or other standardized tests that have been given.
Emily
July 31st, 2009
11:33 pm
I just graduated from UGA and was on the HOPE Scholarship for each year. I almost went to UNC Chapel Hill, but the HOPE made UGA impossible to refuse. It was the best decision I made, as I’m now fully employed with one of the Big 4 accounting firms, and I have no student loans to repay. HOPE kept me in-state, which is the whole point of having a merit based program like this. Keep the brightest GA high schoolers in GA for college. It has drastically improved our university’s reputation and rankings since it was implemented. Great program.
tc
July 31st, 2009
11:41 pm
If ol’ Sonny Boy had a chance, he’d get rid of HOPE. We all know now that Sonny hates public education. Sonny, please be gone real soon, before you do any more damage…go milk some cows!
tc
July 31st, 2009
11:51 pm
Hopefully this state has learned its lesson not to vote for another Republican governor for 150 years. Perdue is pathetic.
GA/FL
August 1st, 2009
6:33 am
I currently receive HOPE and Pell. My husband receives Pell only. We decided later in life to fulfill our dreams of better education. Every day I am so thankful we have HOPE and Pell to help us accomplish our goals.
Robert M
August 1st, 2009
6:56 am
No wonder Georgia’s education system lags behind–read these comments. Some of you should really educate yourself prior to commenting on an education blog. First, funding is available for students who receive technical education. It is called HOPE Grant. And nearly 70% of students in the Technical College System receiving this funding. And it carries with it fewer stipulations so students retain it.
Second HOPE is NOT a government program. It is a private business operated though the Lottery Corporation. Sales=Revenue for them like it does for any business. The Lottery Corp then gives the state a percentage of the revenue, per legislation. Thus, why should HOPE be restricted to just public colleges? If the purpose is the help the all of the state, why should private colleges be excluded? The point of HOPE is to provide more access to college.
Finally, the program has become more of an entitlement program. In its original form, it was supposed to be needs based. But good luck getting that policy passed in this backwards Republican state. Students and parents should have more skin in the game. A student should have to prove himself or herself in college the first semester and then get reimbursed. Instead an incentive system exists to party your first year away.
The bottomline is that HOPE expenditures are increasing at a faster rate than the revenue. In FY10 the lines are projected to cross. Then what? What gets cut first? How do you begin to reform the program?
catlady
August 1st, 2009
6:57 am
5 errors for HOPE Scholar Stevie B. Oh, my!
catlady
August 1st, 2009
7:00 am
Robert: Orginally it was NOT exactly needs-based. Yes, there was a top income cap (later raised and then abolished) but there was a BOTTOM income cap as well, which lasted a couple of years after the top cap was abolished. Originally, if you got Pell you could not get HOPE–massively unfair to low income good scholars. It was, originally, a middle income rewards program.
catlady
August 1st, 2009
7:23 am
I also have a hard time thinking of HOPE being a private entity: the Georgia Lottery has excusive rights to run the lottery, and should be accountable for its mismanagement. Did you know that the mandated percentage is still NOT being returned to HOPE, pre-k, etc, but the lottery “officials” are awarded huge yearly bonuses?
Teachermom
August 1st, 2009
8:14 am
I believe citizens and politicians have forgotten the meaning of “outstanding” when they refer to HOPE – in case you have forgotten while reading all the comments – Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally. We have been lowering standards, expectations, and requirements to ensure that average students can achieve HOPE, too. In the process, with the increased cash flow, our state universities and colleges have been raising the costs of what HOPE covers and does not cover. Handing out a blanket scholarship will soon deplete available funds in this economy, and all students hoping to go to college will suffer. Students who work hard will no longer have HOPE and parents will not be able to afford college costs. Student loans will take years to pay back because of the cost of college (private and public). What is the answer? Perhaps we need to look again at our high schools, realize that vocational tracks are not bad things, and quit expecting every child to not only be capable of doing well in college, but want to go to college. There is nothing wrong with a student who wants to be an electrician, plumber, mechanic, computer tecnician, etc. Some studies even say that these blue collar jobs will be secure income jobs in the next 50 years. Why not restore Vo-Tech tracks in high school that will prepare these students for jobs they have the skills and desire to perform? Perhaps that will even help with our state’s dismal graduation rate. As for those students who are “finding themselves”, do adults in Georgia going back to college for degree changes or to finish a degree have access to HOPE? I would love the chance to go back to school when I retire from education on a HOPE scholarship; I did graduate from a GA high school many, many years ago with a 3.6 GPA. My husband, who lost his job in this recession, would also like the chance for another degree. Just something to think about during the 3 (perhaps more) days I will be furloughed!
ScienceTeacher671
August 1st, 2009
8:44 am
Reality 2, the DOE says “due to the substantial changes in the math curriculum based on the new math standards, Georgia math books are significantly different than instructional materials used in other states” — which seems to imply that yes, it IS “completely different math”, at least in terms of textbooks and classroom materials.
ScienceTeacher671
August 1st, 2009
8:56 am
Reality 2, before the new curriculum was developed, students took EOCTs in Algebra I and Geometry. Those EOCTs are now being discarded. Since the new curriculum has been developed, new EOCTs for Math I and Math II have been created. I doubt these new tests “cost any more than EOCT or other standardized tests that have been given” but the fact remains that additional tests had to be created to fit the new curriculum, and creating good standardized tests does cost money (but we can argue about whether or not the new tests are “good”).
Hope Parent Too
August 1st, 2009
8:59 am
My husband and I are both teachers, and we have three children who all received HOPE scholarships. At one point they were all in college at the same time. There is no way we could have afforded to send them to college without the HOPE scholarship.
Our kids worked hard to keep up their grades in high school and in college. They didn’t play around and lose it. Every student who gets the HOPE scholarship is told many times what he/she has to do to keep this scholarship. If a student loses the HOPE scholarship, he/she can requalify for this scholarship if his/her grades come up to an acceptable level after a designated period of time.
It may not be a perfect system, but it certainly has helped a lot of students in Georgia who would not have been able to go to college if it hadn’t been for this program.
Lee
August 1st, 2009
10:00 am
Robert, the Ga Lottery Corporation was created by legislative fiat, is granted exclusive rights by the State of Ga to run the lottery, and the disposition of proceeds are mandated by Ga Code.
In my way of thinking, that makes it a GOVERNMENT program.
“§ 50-27-4. Georgia Lottery Corporation created; There is created a body corporate and politic to be known as the Georgia Lottery Corporation which shall be deemed to be an instrumentality of the state, and not a state agency, and a public corporation. Venue for the corporation shall be in Fulton County.”
If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck……
ScienceTeacher671
August 1st, 2009
10:05 am
Reality 2, I could not find a list of approved high school mathematics books on the DOE website, but according to Henry County’s website “there were only two books designed for Georgia,” and Carnegie Learning designed the book chosen by many counties.
Reality 2
August 1st, 2009
10:06 am
ST671:
The “difference” is that the GA math are packaged differently – in each of MATH 1, 2, 3, and 4, students study algebra, geometry, and statistics. Most other states packages them separately – although statistics is often woven into algebra instead of being a separate course unless you take the AP stat.
Textbook companies can easily re-package their textbooks. I have no idea how many did – relatively speaking, GA isn’t the biggest market, so I can see some publishers say “don’t bother.” But, it was still publisher’s decision – every publisher had the same opportunity and some decided not to pursue. There is really no room to somehow benefit one company because the adoption process isn’t that rigorous – something like 5 districts can request a particular book be on the list and it will get on.
Anyway, the contents aren’t any new – look at the EOCT problems.
Peggy King
August 1st, 2009
12:29 pm
Maintaining a 3.0 GPA at Georgia Tech while majoring in Chemical Engineering is infintitly more difficult than maintaining it while majoring in “partying’ at Georgia Southern. Courses from a more challenging curriculum should be weighted on a curve.
Peggy King
August 1st, 2009
12:29 pm
Enter your comments here
Old School
August 1st, 2009
1:31 pm
Both our girls qualified for HOPE. The oldest attended and graduated from Berry College. The amount HOPE paid for her was about equal to the amount paid for tuition to a state supported institution. The youngest use HOPE for two courses one summer when she was home from her out of state university. Thanks to the Academic Common Market and her major, we paid in-state tuition at a huge savings. Both received excellent secondary educations at our rural South Georgia high school and at their respective post-secondary institutions.
I qualified for the HOPE for teachers loan when I started my masters program but quickly paid off the $1000 I borrowed when it became evident that program is nothing but a mess. Before the university even received the payment, I was double-billed for the amount in two identical mailings that insisted I would be graduating 3 months after I started my very first class. It took about a year to get it cleared up. This critical area instructor will never bother those people again- the aggravation is just too. . . well, aggravating!
Jaaaaaaaaay Booooooooogey!
August 1st, 2009
1:51 pm
Let’s give Maureen Downey a chance. She has not been an advocate for teachers in the past, but her time on this forum may prove to be worthwhile. The JAG Corp, from what I understand, want their prosecutors to be more sensible and reasonable. Therefore, when fresh out of law school, the newbies are sent to a base/fort where they first are defense attorneys. Perhaps whe will see both side and then see the need to call for A. G. Baker to do something about Alvin Willbanks and the Gwinnett County Board or Sanderson and the Cobb Board. If not, then let’s crank up our Blackberries and call her out and other people by their names! Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb, Atlanta ought to get the Clayco Treatment too. Isn’t this the new standard…the Clayco Treatment? Or, is that fake Mark Elgart back to hibernating in among the Alpharetta bears?
ScienceTeacher671
August 1st, 2009
3:45 pm
High school AP and honors courses should weigh more toward HOPE eligibility than “regular” courses do, too.
TW
August 1st, 2009
4:32 pm
Can’t we use some of this money to stock Sonny’s fishing pond? After all, we cut much of what was supposed to fund pre-K, and the part of HOPE that was to address technology never even got off the ground.
Face it, Georgia ought just throw in the towel on education. Just let us be the fat, stupid, meth-head, white trash Republican sheep we’ve been inbred to be.
Reality 2
August 1st, 2009
4:53 pm
ST671,
It’s true that they had to make a new EOCT test, but don’t you think new tests should be created every so often, specially if standards are revised – and shouldn’t the standards be revised periodically?
I just don’t get what you are trying to get at – are you suggesting someone at the DOE intentionally made the state revise the math standards so that a business entity might profit from such a change? Or, are you simply against changing standards? I imagine you wouldn’t want to be using the standards based on our knowledge of science in the 1920’s as the standards for our students, would you?
ScienceTeacher671
August 2nd, 2009
7:13 am
Reality 2, at a time when districts are reducing the number of teachers, increasing class sizes, and cutting the amount of supply money available to teachers, and at a time when the state is calling for teachers to be paid less (furloughed) and raising the cost of benefits such as insurance…
I am asking for an estimate the financial cost to the state, and to districts within the state, of implementing this new math curriculum. With most things political, and education is certainly political, “follow the money” is usually a good rule of thumb.
I’m not sure why you are so defensive about the question.
ScienceTeacher671
August 2nd, 2009
7:16 am
Reality 2, another comment in reference to your July 31, 8:55 pm post:
Most counties that bought Math I textbooks (and the counties I’m familiar with did buy textbooks) bought them toward the end of the 2007-2008 school year, because they weren’t available until then. Math II textbooks were delivered a few months ago, in the spring of this year. According to a press release from Carnegie Learning in February 2008, the Math II textbook could not be developed until the DOE released the Math II frameworks later in 2008. (I guess that part of it was not “DONE 5-6 years ago.”)
The jury is still out on whether or not the new math curriculum is an improvement, but it does cost money to replace what is already in place with something new and different – even if some of it is “home grown”.
Reality 2
August 2nd, 2009
10:18 am
ST671,
I’m simply pointing out the development of the standards were done SEVERAL years ago, as was the textbook adoption. I think the state can/should release the cost of various aspects such as the development of the EOCT. However, once the new standards are implemented, the system has no choice but to proceed with the development of the new EOCT, doesn’t it? I suppose the state can suspend the EOCT for this year or next, but it eventually has to move on – unless we scrap the EOCT completely, which I have no problem with.
In many ways, the state DOE is doing a huge favor to local district because the Frameworks are made available for free – no district has to purchase textbooks for MATH 1 & 2 (for now, but 3 and 4 in the future). If a district wants to use that money to keep some teachers, they have the choice – although I imagine most systems have already made that decisions and signed contracts. For some reasons I don’t think these publishers will just lay down and let the districts change the contracts at this point as teachers did.
Louise
August 2nd, 2009
1:12 pm
I was an instructor at Auburn and Georgia for 10 years. I have taught in GA for 16 years.
There is grade inflation at both levels.
HOPE needs a salary cap. F.milies with incomes over $300,000 ( or lower) do not need HOPE assistance. The monies would be better spent helping students with financial need with living expenses. megan from alpharetta does not need more aid, but john from waycross does.
There are many underrepresented counties at UGA and HOPE would help students not from metro ATL stay at UGA>
BehindEnemyLines
August 2nd, 2009
1:13 pm
What started as a reasonable idea with potential has turned into just another entitlement program, or as I’ve heard a number of “students” refer to it “our paid vacation”. The retention rate is atrocious, with even more money poured dry the increasingly dry hole of government funded day care (aka public education). It’s time to stiffen the standards for eligibility considerably and clear out some of the dead weight that’s wasting space, time, and money in college classrooms they have no business being in. The notion that somehow, magically, “college is for everyone” is absurd on its face and has done nothing except dumb down higher education in order to get paid for trying to cater to the least common denominator.
booger
August 2nd, 2009
1:25 pm
If HOPE is a program designed to benefit students, then private colleges and universities should be included. If HOPE was designed to benefit public institutions, then they should not.
atlmom
August 2nd, 2009
1:26 pm
I mentioned my ideas to a legislator once, and I don’t think she liked it.
How about – see how much money we have, and then rank the students, and the top however many students we have money for get the tuition assistance? We could decide that it’s more than the $3k a year if we wanted – everyone would win.
Because – well, the students wouldn’t KNOW how high a GPA they need, and they’d all try to be better students. Grade inflation wouldn’t even be an issue.
But then it would go to the best and the brightest, and it seems we don’t care about helping those people out anymore…
Fran
August 2nd, 2009
3:06 pm
There is no substitute for knowing that you can attend college if you make that 3.0. And, it should not be limited by family income – that lets Dad say “my way or the highway.”
jr
August 2nd, 2009
3:39 pm
Peggy King,
Everyone may think Oh since you go to GA Southern all you do is party. Well thats a complete lie. I’m in the GTREP (Georgia Tech Regional Engineering Program) for mechanical engineering and it is just as difficult as Tech because it is the same rigor. And I know kids down here majoring in physics and they are having just as difficult of a time because the physics classes here are weighted to Georgia Tech because of the GTREP. So please do your research before saying something that is not true.
ps there is also a RETP down in GA Southern that is linked up with GT with the same weight classes
Rosie
August 2nd, 2009
3:46 pm
Possible topcis:
1. Georgia’s “New” Math Curriculum- what’s different about it?
2. How will Georgia teachers be evaluated under the new teacher evaluation program?
3. How much does it cost districts to transport sports teams to out of town games?
4. Do teachers/administrators inflate student grades?
5. Postives/Negatives of 4 day school weeks
6. Does your student benefit from advisement sessions at school?
7. What do parents think about Georgia’s public schools?
8. What waste do you see in schools?
Jaaaaaaaaay Booooooooogey!
August 2nd, 2009
3:53 pm
Y’all be nice to Maureen. For real. All we are saying…is give peace a chance.
beachlover
August 2nd, 2009
3:54 pm
Enter your comments here
Rosie you're missing the point
August 2nd, 2009
4:00 pm
The point isn’t the topics, it’s Downey’s credibility to address them. Readers need to call her on it day one if there is any chance at an honest discussion on this blog.
Speaking of honesty and credibility, what does it say about Downey, that one of her sources she cited in her anti-voucher screed had to publicly call her in misinterpreting the data?
From a letter to the editor:
The editorial “Voucher plan would help sponsor, not students” (@issue, Feb. 4) concluded with the request “check our sources.” I did so eagerly, since the first source listed was my research project Web site and the second was a federal evaluation that I am heading. The editorial drew selectively from my research. For example, our baseline report from a planned five-year examination of the Milwaukee voucher program is cited as showing “little difference in test scores between voucher recipients and their public school counterparts.” That baseline finding presents a snapshot of descriptive information about voucher and public school student performance at the start of the evaluation. Meaningful results from the evaluation will only be available later.
Although the editorial correctly reported that our second-year evaluation of the Washington, D.C., voucher program found no overall achievement impact, it neglected to mention that three subgroups —- students who attended schools that were not labeled as failing when they applied for vouchers, students who had higher academic-performance levels before entering the voucher program, and students who were voucher applicants in the program’s first year of operation —- showed statistically significant gains in reading. While there remains much to be learned about school vouchers, the existing evidence shows that students tend to achieve at higher levels if they have access to a school voucher program.
PATRICK J. WOLF, University of Arkansas
Mr. Thomas Anthony Jones, Sr.
August 2nd, 2009
4:01 pm
We need a needs based Hope scholarship. Lower income students are being forced out college by these stupid tuition increase. These tuition increases make absolute no sense whatsoever. If the publice colleges need more money the state need to increase the income taxes on the welathy in the state. Right now we have well-off kids goimg off to college and poorer kids dying in Inraq and Afghanization. Young working class kids need college money now.
beachlover
August 2nd, 2009
4:06 pm
Enter your comments here:
In my opinion, the HOPE scholarship should be equally offered to all GA college students who are accepted to college. Then let the students prove by maintaining a 3.0 GPA that they should be allowed to keep the scholarship. This way everyone is treated the same. In addition, I think that someone should think about those students that are caught in the middle and do not get any assistance from PELL, etc. They are the ones caught with large student loans. What help is there for them? Nothing… And who shows they care…..no one……
The new formula for the HOPE scholarship does not take into consideration all subjects just like the SAT. Think about it, are you only a few subjects? No it takes many subject knowledge and talent to be a well rounded person.
The people who make the decisions really did not think about what is equal and best for everyone. Becuse of this, some children in GA are being left with no option other than loans.
ScienceTeacher671
August 2nd, 2009
4:35 pm
Sounds to me as if Patrick J. Wolf should have said, “the existing evidence shows that SOME SUBGROUPS OF students tend to achieve at higher levels if they have access to a school voucher program.”
null
August 2nd, 2009
4:42 pm
Requirements need to be tougher. Attaining a 3.0 in public high schools and universities is not a difficult task. That should thin the number out a bit.
lighteredknot
August 2nd, 2009
4:53 pm
High school grades have become so inflated they are a joke, remember the Newnan Honor Graduate that could not pass the Ga High School Graduation Test? A test to qualify for the Hope Scholarship would be much better than the mess our school systems now face.
catlady
August 2nd, 2009
4:58 pm
Peggy King: take some high school spelling classes. Don’t claim to be in a tough program if you can’t spell a lower-level (math related!) word.
How about a “graduated” HOPE, with an SAT/ACT score added? I don’t have a lot of faith in high school grades. I did a study a while back, and all of the 12 guidance counselors I interviewed said they didn’t have grade inflation in their high school, but the high school down the road SURE inflated grades! Every single one said that, and they were all from neighboring schools!
While working in two large state colleges here I have seen students who have a 4.0 but can bearly rite a sentence (sic)! Sorry, but “testing poorly” does not account for that! Besides, what is college but a nearly endless set of tests?
I have no problem that the HOPE scholarship is paid by a lottery that mostly poor and lower middle class participate in. They make that choice. I have no problem that HOPE awardees are usually middle class and upper middle class. If they do the work, they should be awarded. However, I do hate to see what should be an award with meaning given to mediocre students, as evidenced by the attrition rate and by the less than stellar SATs that many of these “scholars” present for entrance.
I also dislike the way Georgia has cut out its SSIG program (for low-income students) and replaced it with HOPE (an achievement-based program that just so happens to go to mostly wealthier students).
Zach
August 2nd, 2009
5:03 pm
The Reason Private schools should not get public money is because they are most likely affiliated with a religious organization. Separation of Church and State….And those Private schools have large endowments and should not be entitled to public funds. And if you can afford to send your kids to a 20K plus per year private school, then you dont need hope
thomas
August 2nd, 2009
5:06 pm
I don’t get this “honest discussion” idea – did Laura ever really engage in discussion? Didn’t she simply post a topic? It’s all others here who “discuss” and “argue” about it. So, what difference does it make that the topic is posed by Laura or Maureen or whoever???
A Kindergarten Teacher
August 2nd, 2009
6:16 pm
HOPE was all my 4.0 student received when she graduated. I am thankful for it. She worked hard for her 4.0 and worked a part-time job too.
I for one am sick and tired of hearing low income…get up and do something about your income…try working, try doing without your cell phone, cable/dish tv, fancy cars, fancy clothing, and eating out…then you can support yourself and the children you brought into the world instead of expecting everyone else to do it for you.
The difference Thomas
August 2nd, 2009
7:01 pm
Here’s the difference between Laura and Maureen. Laura didn’t say anything, which is why it’s hard to understand why she would be missed, unless people are just being polite.
Maureen, on the other hand, has served as the editorial voice for education issues at the AJC, routinely bashing teachers while giving political cover to educrats who have abused the public trust.
She has also gone out of her way to bash certain individuals in editorials, and then contrary to accepted practice at the AJC, not offered these people a chance at an Equal Time editorial rebuttal.
The way government changes is that people become informed, and a free press plays a vital role in it. When the free press fails in this role, as Downey and the editorial board have often done, they need to be called on it.
That’s the difference.
Lori Howard
August 2nd, 2009
7:02 pm
How my husband and I “encouraged” our son to keep the HOPE all four years at GC&SU: First semester he was not allowed to take our 12 year old clunker Volvo station wagon to campus; it stayed home in Norcross. Scott was told he could earn the car second semester if he achieved a 3.5 or above first semester in college. Since his overall high school average was 89.7, we thought it might be possible but not probable. Wouldn’t you know that he worked very hard and ended up with a 3.7 his first semester? We turned over the car with the rules being that “you keep the car if you keep the HOPE. If you lose the HOPE, you come home, work for a year, live at home and attend GA Perimeter or GA State.” We are pleased that our son managed to keep the HOPE all four years in his pursuit of two BA’s. He is now entering his fifth year at GC&SU in Milledgeville to finish up the second degree. We are helping him pay for the last year, and he is working 20-35 hours per week to help out. Most kids want cars on campus; most kids don’t want to move back home after moving out. Perhaps we were just lucky or just have a great kid or a little of both!
RSX (Former DeKalb Student)
August 2nd, 2009
7:13 pm
There are definitely pros and cons to HOPE. A pro: I am going to UGA for ‘free’. A con: Because UGA is free, and I can’t find a job, my college choice was essentially made for me when I got my acceptance letter. A pro: HOPE will motivate me to work hard so that I stay in school (and if I don’t enjoy UGA, it will inspire me to work even harder so I can transfer and possibly receive scholarship money)
Also, I do NOT believe that HOPE should be in any way needs-based. A poor person that “needs” HOPE will work to get that 3.0 (I slept through AP courses and ended high school with a 3.58). Someone in general-level (which is essentially remedial) courses with a 2.5 doesn’t need HOPE, even if they don’t make college tuition-level money.
thomas
August 2nd, 2009
9:11 pm
I don’t see why this is private vs public university issue – if anyone chooses to go to a private university knowing it costs more, well that’s his/her choice. Private schools have no rights to be complaining.
Bob Lilly
August 2nd, 2009
9:24 pm
Yes, those that attend private colleges should get the same as one that attends public schools. Thier parents pay tax just like everyone else. End of discussion.
Yes, there is grade inflation at the HS level. And a B in college is not a B in HS. To think someone with a low B avg in HS who took an easy set of courses and scored low on the SAT will keep HOPE is a dream.
Along with the B avg should be a minimum SAT. The SAT or ACT is the real indicater of college success. Yes, some with low to avg SAT scores can be successful, but the studies show it is rare. I say an SAT score, under the old numbering system, should be above 1050. No grade inflation, just facts.
Old Physics Teacher
August 2nd, 2009
9:33 pm
Reality 2:
Just sticking my 2 cents in: “The new GA math standards, K-12, were developed by a committee of georgia educators – teachers, univ professors – and maybe even some business inputs. That was DONE 5-6 years ago.”
Just because a “committee of georgia educators” decided to do something does not make the committee right. I’ve seen this in two different businesses – retail and public education. A supervisor forms a committee and picks specific individuals that will propose EXACTLY what the supervisor wants proposed. When you get to pick the committee, you get to decide what the committee proposes – and what proposals are implimented.
Conversely, when the committee proposes something the supervisor does not wish to do, the committee is disbanded and a new committee formed that will follow directions. Remember: if it quacks like a duck and looks like a duck, it could be a swan… but it’s best not to bet that way.
Our math curriculum does not do what it should do – nor does the high school science one either… although I have to agree with the math teachers, science doesn’t stink as bad as the math.
HopeStudent
August 2nd, 2009
10:11 pm
If HOPE is meant for rewarding OUTSTANDING students, then how come almost every year a news story comes out about a student who “qualifies for HOPE” but can’t pass the GA Highschool Graduation Test, even after taking it several times?
Reality 2
August 2nd, 2009
10:20 pm
Physics Teacher,
Can you be more specific – what about the new math standards you consider to be inferior to the old one? Not just because your math colleagues say so doesn’t make it so. What do you mean that “our math curriculum does not do what it should do”?
John
August 2nd, 2009
10:51 pm
The last thing we need is a need-based HOPE scholarship program. Students from lower income families have Pell Grants and numerous other programs literally trying to give them money to go to colege. Students from middle and upper class families don’t have those options. Don’t penalize students just because their parents are successful by taking HOPE away from them. HOPE should be merit based period.
HardWorking
August 2nd, 2009
11:01 pm
Answer to “A Kindergarten Teacher”. You are lucky that through your child’s years emergencies did not occur to take away your hard working money from paying the college fees. Especially burrying both parents and medical necessities because of treating a parent who had cancer. I do work hard and hold a college degree, I do not have a fancy car, fancy clothes or cable tv etc. Yet still I cannot afford to pay my child’s college fees. Do I now have to sell the last thing on my back and walk the streets naked? I fall in the category of not being too poor enough and not having a 3 digit level income. And I can’t afford my child college fees that have a 3.8 GPA. So yes, I will complain that those who have reasons such as this and their child can make the grade to assist with getting the child to also earn a degree. I do pay my income taxes and local school taxes also. The system should assist my child to complete that degree and not have to drop out, becasue his parent sits between the line.
JD
August 2nd, 2009
11:29 pm
END HOPE NOW!!!! HOPE should be limited to those students with an “A” average, 4.0 or higher. Keeping “B” students in Georgia basically says we are willing to subsidize and encourage mediocrity. In fact, the criteria to get a scholarship should be an A average AND a high SAT or ACT score, at least in the upper 10% of the US. Why are we subsidizing medicrity? Why do we wnat to make HOPE more inclusive? Are we that desperate to enroll students from Georgia? Last time I checked, every college in Georgia–public and private–didn’t need any help enrolling students.
a private college student
August 2nd, 2009
11:54 pm
as i read the comments, its has become clear to me that alot of people are on the outside looking in on this situation. i attend a private college only because its was one of two schools in the state of georgia that offered the major i wanted a degree in. others students (who may not have all the money) attend a private college anyway because of the name and how good the degree program may be. and if a student is going to pay thousands of dollars to attend college and aquire thousands of dollars worth of debit; why not attend the best school?
i dont think those who attend a private college should not get less money from HOPE. the only major differnce between a private college and a public college is the tution. many who attend a private college or any college dont usually have all the money for tution, books, and other costs so we depend on scholarships and grants. to not give us the money we earned simply because of were we chose to get a degree from is not fair. HOPE was created to give everyone a fair and equal oppurtunity to recieve a college education and to deny us 2000 that we earned is not fair.
jd
August 3rd, 2009
3:30 am
Kill HOPE now.
Concerned Blood Donor
August 3rd, 2009
4:28 am
Nowadays it’s hard to find a job because of the recession. There are many got unemployed and seeking job now. As a worker, I am also a blood donor to help on my daily needs. I think this is a very big help for the students who are seeking for a part time job now or got unpaid internship and especially it is summer time which are some of us need extra income. I’m donating for 2 years now and it really helps because every donation I make up to $50/hour for blood donation. As we all know, Blood bank shortages kill tons of people all the time and it is the time to spread the word about blood donation and give blood, you will never know when YOU might need blood. This really helpful even it is just a part time job, the bottom line of this is to saved lives.
If you are thinking to be a blood donor and looking for specific blood banks and a directory of blood donation centers you can check it out here at bloodbanker dot com/banks.
Furloughed
August 3rd, 2009
6:59 am
So I just heard that the GA State polices are now furloughed 2 days EACH MONTH!!! Where is the outrage? Where are whining officers?
GA Citizen
August 3rd, 2009
8:44 am
Maureen Downey is taking over this blog? Oh, oh … no longer a blog but a BULLY pulpit!
Jaaaaaaaaay Booooooooogey!
August 3rd, 2009
9:58 am
Where is Maureen? An APB on Maureen, please. We’re going to be nice. Jaaaaaaaaaaaaay Booooooooooohey!
Gwinnett Educator
August 3rd, 2009
10:39 am
Furloughed, they have their own blogs where they voice MANY concerns, not limited to furloughs. Get to know some of these officers and ask for those other sites…They are out there.
PJ
August 3rd, 2009
11:32 am
Maybe she was furloughed…
woodie
August 3rd, 2009
11:53 am
I think the hope scholarship should be just that, hope for people who cannot afford education. I know I was never able to go to a good college because I didn’t have the money. I never felt that was fair and still don’t. I squeaked by in the cheapest local college I could find and funded it with a part time job. So basing this on grades is not a good idea. It’s a built in bias against the struggling class.
Rhonda
August 3rd, 2009
1:06 pm
College might not be for everyone, but everyone does needs skills and experience to be competitive in the 21st century, even if they decide to attend a technical college, or what ever. If you decide to be a clerical person,you still need office skills (customer service) and other experience you do not learn in high school, you still need at least a 2 year (AA) degree to learn the basic of office effeciency. I work with people who just have a high school diploma, and they have no professionalism ;right out of high school – Society does not value educatin as it once did years ago. The same students who decided not to attend collee is the ones sitting in high paid jobs while other studens struggle everyday to put themselvers through college to be better prepared for the competitive market. If a person choose not to educate themselves then they get what they pay for.
professionalism???
August 3rd, 2009
1:58 pm
Rhonda,
You expect professionalism from HS graduates? You must be much more realistic. Look at all those teachers who post here and see their lack of professionalism – and they all have at least bachelor’s degrees and many have more.
ScienceTeacher671
August 3rd, 2009
9:58 pm
Reality 2, if the “new math” is just the old math repackaged, why did the math teachers in our district have to spend a week in training last year and this year to learn how to teach it?
And just how many times will they have to “field test” the EOCTs before they can count them?
jim d
August 4th, 2009
10:52 am
a little tid-bit most are not aware of about the HOPE.
a student that qualifies upon graduation from a Georgia HS elects not to take advantage of HOPE, instead choosing an out of state college. Said student returns home for summer and elects to take advantage of an in state college to pick up a few extra credit hours in order to lighten academic load in sophmore year and has maintained grades at out of state school, exceeding HOPE requirements.
Said student does not qualify for ANY HOPE assistance for summer school since he/she is considered a transient student.
parent and teacher
August 4th, 2009
5:45 pm
jim d – I don’t think your described situation is exclusive to HOPE. Summer classes even for non-transient students are rarely covered by any financial aid. Most financial aid covers either 3 quarters or two semesters.