REPRESENTATIVE FRAN MILLAR UNVEILS PLANS FOR “BRIDGE” LEGISLATION

“BRIDGE” – Building Resourceful Individuals to Develop Georgia’s Economy

ATLANTA—Georgia State Representative Fran Millar (R- Dunwoody) has unveiled his plans for new legislation aimed at helping Georgia’s students more effectively transition from high school to college or the workforce.  This legislation is a direct result of work done by a 2006 study committee appointed by House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) commissioned to examine the issues surrounding the feasibility and usefulness of implementing a market-demand skills program in grades ten through twelve in public high schools in Georgia to address youth unemployment and to improve economic development.

“During our three hearings, the following key statistics were revealed,” Millar said.

§         14 out of every 100 ninth-graders in Georgia graduate from a four-year college within six years of enrolling in college.

1. Traditionally, 30-40 percent of Georgia students who enter grade nine do not graduate from high school four years later.
2. Nationally, 63 percent of students at two-year institutions and 40 percent of students at four-year institutions take remedial courses.
3. Nationally, 40 percent of high school graduates are not adequately prepared for either college or the workforce.
4. In Georgia, it is estimated today that 85 percent of jobs require training beyond the high school diploma.  Thirty years ago 70 percent of jobs in Georgia were occupied by the unskilled.
5. In Georgia, only 66 percent of high school students are aware of technical college programs and only 4 percent of high school students took classes at our technical colleges.
6. 60 percent of high school counselors, 56 percent of high school principals, and 72 percent of high school teachers are either not very or not at all familiar with the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education.

“Three particular themes were reiterated by numerous speakers that testified in our hearings:

1. We need to engage our children by ninth grade in career and educational pathways that will prepare them for further study and a good job or else we will continue to lose the completion-rate battle.
2. We need to raise the academic rigor for all students.  High expectations are key to improved results.  However, for many students we must link academic studies to career studies for learning to be meaningful.
3. Any statewide initiative must allow local systems the flexibility to design programs of study that meet the needs of their students and community.

“Annually, we spend over $10 billion in Georgia on education and for too long we have focused on every child going to college.  As a consequence, too many students are enrolling without a goal in mind and too few are finishing.  Many are not going and are not well-prepared for a good job.  Unfortunately, too many are not even finishing high school.  We need to be honest with our students and our parents about what is required for realizing success and the solution developed by Speaker Richardson and others is “BRIDGE” – Building Resourceful Individuals to Develop Georgia’s Economy.

“In this legislation, we give all students a choice of focused programs of study starting in ninth grade to prepare students for postsecondary studies and careers.  Model programs are included for students that otherwise would drop out.  Real world experience is combined with increased academic rigor.  Guidance counselors and graduation coaches are trained in the available opportunities for students in all areas, including going to a four-year college.  Parents and guardians are involved in their child’s graduation plan.  While providing exemptions from graduation tests or end of course assessments for students who have passed state-approved industry certification exams, all students must pass graduations tests or end of course assessments having to do with mathematics, reading and writing.  Funding is provided by the state and partnerships with employers are encouraged.

“The BRIDGE legislation as proposed should improve high school graduation rates, prepare more students for both college and careers and increase the percentages of high school graduates who earn a formal credential – certificate, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree or higher.

“Revolutionary - maybe.  Controversial – probably.  Necessary – absolutely.  Based on our current level of accomplishment for all students, we must do better.  “BRIDGE” is the first step in achieving a 90 percent high school graduation rate and providing hope for all students.  It is time to be realistic and separate fact from fiction.”

###