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Graduation and Collaboration Coaches: Working Effectively Together

Tuesday, September 8, 2009
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time

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*Learn how Graduation and Collaboration Coaches have contributed to an increase in Georgia's graduation rate.

*Learn about the roles of these Graduation and Collaboration Coaches.

This radio webcast will address a framework for dropout prevention that has been effective in Georgia-the state's Graduation Coach program provides early intervention services to students at risk for dropping out of school. The state's graduation rate has increased from 72.3% in 2007 to 75.4% in 2008 - a record high for Georgia. This 3.1% rate increase represents 8,277 additional graduates for the 2007-2008 school year. Additionally, the state's dropout rate decreased from 4.1% to 3.7%. Georgia also funds Collaboration Coaches to assist middle and high schools in developing supports for students with disabilities. Schools implement strategies for engaging students academically and behaviorally as well as focusing on affective needs.

Laura Brown

Dr. Laura Brown serves as the Director of North Georgia Learning Resources System (GLRS), an extension of the Georgia Department of Education, coordinating special education services and professional development for local schools in the northeast corner of Georgia. She is a 29-year veteran educator who has worked in schools at every level including as an elementary assistant principal, a system level special education consultant, as well as a middle and high school teacher. She is currently the Project Coordinator for Georgia's State Personnel Development Grant, GraduateFIRST, designed to address the dropout issues related to students with disabilities.

Fran Bay

Fran Bay is the Collaboration Coach for Metro East Georgia Learning Resources System (GLRS). GLRS is a statewide network which provides resources and support services to parents and teachers of students with disabilities. In her current capacity, Fran supports middle and high schools in the metropolitan Atlanta area which have elected to participate in Graduate First, a federally funded project designed to increase the graduation rate and decrease the dropout rate of students with disabilities. She is a 37-year veteran educator who has served as a school psychologist and as director of special education, student services, and testing. At the regional level, she has held positions as director of an assessment center for Georgia teacher certification, as a coordinator of training of state evaluation programs, and as a project facilitator for student achievement.