Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education is THE source for policy research and influence in Georgia. Our organization relies on GPEE for cutting edge information contained in their top notch publications such as Top Ten Issues to Watch in 2010 and The Economics of Education, Third Edition. Their Education Forums are outstanding, as are their Economics of Education presentations. GPEE is synonymous with quality.
GPEE is the "go to" organization for education public policy in the state of Georgia. When I was looking for advice about a major public education initiative it seemed all roads led to GPEE. The respect with which its work is held by top education professionals in our state is well earned. The Top Ten Issues report is mandatory reading for anyone wanting to know what is actually going on in public education in Georgia.
Georgia is a state that has been struggling with an agrarian past that has left as a byproduct, pockets of disadvantaged student populations impacted by poverty, dislocation, and low achievement. Helping to identify a goal of excellence, striving to rally the general public and government officials to embrace this goal, educating the public on trends, and setting a standard for organizational excellence and management is part of the GPEE story. They are one of a kind in our state, promoting and embodying a standard of true excellence.
I have been a supporter and participant in the activities of the partnership for approximately ten years. Its critical look on issues that effect education and highlighting of the best schools and practices in business across our state is a national model. Skills, knowledge, expertise and wisdom in assisting school communities that strive to build bridges between, home work and school can be found in this organization. They invited me to be on the Coordinating Board that co-developed Georgia's Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI). Through their support and resources GLISI has had a positive impact in over 140 of Georgia's school districts.
The GPEE serves my district through the annual Top Ten Issues to Watch. I use this to broaden the perspective of district leadership, benchmark our school system's work in specific areas, and in communicating with parents, citizens and legislators. The GPEE Economics of Education was used to educate community members during our strategic planning process. Each GPEE Forum and meeting is an infusion of new energy in the call for high standards, innovation and effective practices. The shared interest of the diverse participants (business, education, non-profit, government)brings diversity of thought to the issues. The GPEE provides timely and pertinent research. Moreover, the practical use of the research is promoted through the annual bus tour across the state to visit schools where citizens observe firsthand the quality best practices in public education.
The GA Partnership for Excellence in Education is a model partnership. While it has a broad, statewide focus, it hasn't lost its ability to be the neighborhood place to go for information, policy, data and cutting edge news. By bringing together all types of organizations with people from all walks of life, the staff is able to plan events that are knowledge building across constituencies as well as interactive so that there is a sharing of different perspectives and an opportunity to hear and understand different points of view. As a newcomer to the state, this organization has been my 'go to' organization.
The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (GPEE) has a profound effect on those seeking unbiased and strategic information, especially conclusions based on research. As a former principal and superintendent, I found GPEE to be especially helpful in providing knowledge and research that could be applied at the school and system levels. The association among business and educational leaders offers insight to collaborative solutions not always found in other settings. The bus trips have proved especially beneficial because I was able to actually see how other schools maximize resources to obtain superior results. The quarterly meetings are open to the public and provide opportunities to hear about strategic applications for current problems. GPEE has been especially effective in further developing educational leaders in Georgia. It supports other organizations including the state department of education, universities, regional educational support agencies, the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) and many others. Most importantly, it provides a forum for all of these organizations to come together on common ground to seek new ways to resolve current issues. I was recently privileged to accompany a state representative-elect to an educational policy forum, and she was most complimentary, intending to utilize GPEE as a primary resource while serving in the General Assembly. If there is an organization in Georgia that works effectively (and often behind the scene) to advance educational quality in Georgia, it is the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education.
As an educator, I have found the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education to be an exceptional source for information and leadership regarding education in the State of Georgia. The enormous data base they have amassed provides the data essential for effective decision making about educational needs and necessary directions for educators in the State to be taking. Their synthesis of the data to provide direction and leadership for allocating resources, establishing educational priorities, and implementation plans provides the guidance and vision necessary for impacting the educational practices of the State. Their unbiased but professional approach breaches many differences extant in the State and moves us toward problem solving and effective solutions that will impact our children and communities for years to come.
Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, inc. provides a wonderful variety of learning opportunities for those in state leadership positions. The organization also helps school systems and school Districts and teachers know that there are good people out there advocating for schools and students.
The Partnership provides a variety of services to education, business, and policy-makers. One of the important activities is the Annual Bus Trip Across Georgia which brings together the three groups above to visit schools that are highly successful in raising student achievement in spite of odds to the contrary. It is a great promotion for public education.
The partnership has been a strong supporter of Education in the state of Georgia. They are on the cutting edge of making others aware of the right practices that are being used throughtout the state. Their bus trip has been a tremendous success. It offers a time for educators to see firt hand how others are being successful.
The GPEE staff compiled all the relevant information about education in the state of Georgia that candidates could possibly need. Theyh organized a series of drive-in conferences acrosss the state and handed out a comprehensive Education Policy Manual. This manual was updated during each election cycle.
GPEE is a great resource for teachers. My experience with GPEE is the annual "Bus Trip Across Georgia." This is the highlight of my year when I get to travel to high performing schools throughout Georgia and experience first hand strategies that are researched based and working! I always come back to my school with a new idea to implement. I love seeing different schools in Georgia that are working hard to close the achievement gap, one of the hardest things we have to do in our profession. I thank GPEE for the hard work they do to stay current with educational issues and policies. I hope others will ride along with us as well.
GPEE is an excellent resource for finding current information on educational issues both in Georgia and at the national level. Their reports are well researched and evidence based. The organization provides a wealth of information via their reports, forums, activities and website. These efforts are supported by staff members that are not only knowledgeable and professional but extremely personable and helpful. I use their website on a regular basis to identify links to other resources. The website is clear and very easy to navigate. GPEE brings together the key players in education to address issues critical to our state. I regularly refer others to the organization and those colleagues have always been well received by GPEE and praised the quality of the organization.