Ga. high school graduation rate increases in 2013

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Wednesday, December 11th, 2013, 12:59pm

Ga. high school graduation rate increases in 2013

(WXIA) -- The public school graduation rate in Georgia continues to climb.

The Georgia Department of Education announced Wednesday that the state's graduation rate was 71.5 percent in 2013 -- almost two points higher than in 2012 and four points above 2011's rate.

Every state uses a U.S. Department of Education-mandated four-year adjusted cohort rate to calculate graduations. It tracks the number of students who graduate from high school within the standard four years.

State superintendent Dr. John Barge said the more rigorous calculation method still shows an increase in Georgia's graduation rate.

"Despite the economic challenges our districts are facing, we have more high school students graduating today than we have had in several years, which is a testament to the hard work of our students and teachers," Barge said in a statement.

Atlanta Public Schools' 2013 four-year graduation rate was 58.6 percent.

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Cooked To Perfection: Taste of Atlanta 2013

Submitted by Atlanta News on Tuesday, December 10th, 10:29 am

ATLANTA -- After a food-filled weekend of sampling, sipping and celebrating, Taste of Atlanta festival attendees are fully satisfied—and possibly even sporting an extra notch on their belt loop!

The epic 12th annual food festival featured over 100 of the city’s premier restaurants and fed more than 45,000 hungry Atlantans. With one-stop access to the city’s varied culinary landscape, an impressive amount of featured cooking classes and seminars and an incredible support of non-profit, community programs, Taste of Atlanta has once again cooked up a recipe for success.

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Submitted by 11Alive News Staff

Thursday, December 5th, 2013, 7:19pm

NEW YORK -- Fast food workers in about 100 cities will walk off the job Thursday, organizers say, which would mark the largest effort yet in their push for higher pay.

PHOTOS | Atlanta fast food workers rally

In Atlanta, demonstrators met at a Krystal in southeast Atlanta at 6 a.m. Thursday and plan to hold a march and demonstration at Cleopas R. Johnson Park at 5 p.m.

The actions are intended to build on a campaign that began about a year ago to call attention to the difficulties of living on the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, or about $15,000 a year.

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Submitted by Donna Lowry, 11Alive Reporter

Thursday, December 5th, 2013, 12:26pm

Job fair for Atlanta teens this Saturday

ATLANTA -- The city of Atlanta is offering a job fair to Atlanta teenagers interested in summer jobs.

The event is only for teens who live within the city because it's sponsored by the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA). The agency hopes to find jobs for 350 teenagers on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at AWDA offices at 818 Pollard Street in Atlanta.

It's open to juniors and seniors in high schools. Students who apply may bring the following: high school transcript, Georgia ID or driver's license, Social Security card, birth certificate and proof of residence. Register online for Selective Service (boys 18 years or older) prior to arrival.

This is where you get more information: AWDA Summer Youth Employment

The director of Atlanta Workforce Development says they also want to hear from businesses interested in employing teens.

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Thursday, December 5th, 2013, 7:49am

(WXIA) -- Registration for the 2014 General Educational Development tests is now open on the new MyGED website.

The site, located at ged.com, offers study plans, skills assessments and other resources to help adults receive the equivalent of a high school diploma.

The 2014 GED program launches on Jan. 2. It was overhauled to better prepare GED candidates for higher education and the working world, and ultimately allow them to find jobs with higher pay.

The website also features a list of GED testing centers across metro Atlanta.

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Submitted by Don Buckindail, Manager of Digital Content

Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013, 11:03pm

ATLANTA -- Run-off elections for Atlanta School Board, State Senate and Georgia House highlighted Tuesday's elections across the metro.

Here's the list of races and results:
(For results on a mobile device click here, or paste this url into a browser: http://on.11alive.com/1cTf6MI)

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013, 10:34am

Tutor to low-income kids charged with forgery

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. -- A tutor to low-income children has been charged with first-degree forgery and false statements by a Fulton County Grand Jury.

Domonique Scott was charged Nov. 26 with creating false assets and liabilities for her company, A Love of Learning Tutoring.

Court documents show Scott produced false balance sheets, statements of net income, a forged letter showing a non-existent cash line of credit and even a start date for her company.

The fake company was hired in January 2010 by the Georgia Department of Education's Supplemental Education Services program, which provides free tutoring and academic assistance to low-income families. A Love of Learning Tutoring helped children in Bibb, Clayton, DeKalb, Muscogee and Richmond counties, according to information presented in court.

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