"More than 78 percent of Georgia schools this year met the progress standards of the federal No Child Left Behind law -- a 14 percent increase over last year -- education officials announced Monday [at Perkerson Elementary School in Atlanta]. Bolstered by dramatic gains in the number of students taking the state’s accountability test, 1,583 of the 2,028 schools tested met the law’s goals on tests, attendance minimums and other standards. … In all, 385 schools that failed to meet the law’s standards last year made ‘adequate yearly progress’ this year, according to state Department of Education statistics. "

"‘These outstanding results were possible because Georgia educators worked hard and focused like never before,’ said Cox, surrounded by balloons and colorful banners in the school’s library. ‘Instead of making excuses, they accepted the challenge presented by some very tough accountability standards and made real progress.’"

"Perkerson was one of three Atlanta public schools that met federal law’s standards for two years in a row, removing themselves from Georgia’s ‘needs-improvement’ list after several years of failing to make the standard." - The Associated Press (7-26-04)

"‘Fourteen points is a big increase in one year,’ [said] Gov. Sonny Perdue, who also spoke during Monday’s event. ‘Sixty-four to 78 is a big deal, and it deserves to be celebrated.’ " - Gwinnett Daily Post (7-27-04)

" ‘Today’s results show that when we set high standards in education, clearly define the level of performance we expect, and match those standards with real accountability, then our teachers, our schools and our students will meet the challenge,’ Gov. Sonny Perdue said in a statement." - The entire article is available from the Macon Telegraph online archives for a fee. (7-27-04)