EDUCATION

 

VISION

Conyers-Rockdale will have equal opportunity preparation for life through use of qualified, well-compensated educational professionals, supported by parents, the community, government and the business community.

STRATEGIES

A. Pre-K-12

1. Expect, all students to graduate with knowledge in reading, writing, math and technology ready either to go to work, go to a technical/community college or four-year college.

a. Reading at grade level will be a minimum requirement for advancement to the next grade.

b. Maintain a testing system that ensures the academic quality of all graduates and minimizes social promotions.

c. The business community will be asked to provide guidance in the skills required by current and future Rockdale jobs with emphasis on higher paying jobs.

d. Support and promote technical emphasis while recognizing the demanding changes and opportunities presented by technology.

e. Expand the Georgia Youth Apprentice Program.

f. Include character education that results in integrity, ethics, morals, and acceptance of the value in all people.

g. Develop the whole person by providing opportunities in arts and physical education.

2. Create an environment where teachers are respected and honored. Raise teacher salaries. Maintain an accountability system based on student achievement for all teachers. Reward creativity and innovation.

3. Encourage parents to provide discipline in the homes so that young people will come to school ready to study in a creative learning environment. Discipline in the classroom will be supported by the school board, administration, teachers, the community, and parents.

4. Expect that children will enter kindergarten ready to learn as a result of the home environment. When required, supplement the family input with tutoring, childcare, etc.

5.  Maintain a system with neighborhood schools that is uniform in opportunity for educational accomplishments throughout the county. Provide resources to individual schools required to equalize the opportunity for educational accomplishments and student Output.

6.  Improve the communication and cooperation between schools and parents.

7.    Provide the right learning opportunities for all children including those with learning, physical, and mental disabilities and those with exceptional talents.

8.                Use the schools as opportunities for learning for all citizens in the community.

9.    Provide appropriate counseling and career guidance.

B. Workforce Development

1.  Create a comprehensive Higher Education Center that supports existing and new job growth by providing job skills that will make Rockdale County competitive in the marketplace. Encourage adult citizens at all income levels to expand their skills in order to be able to access the higher paying jobs available in Rockdale County.

2. Eliminate adult illiteracy.

3. Provide English instruction for both parents and children who use another primary language.

C. Higher Education

1. Create a comprehensive post-secondary education system with delivery in Rockdale County that accesses the best programs and educational institutions.

D. Library

1. Expand the use of the library for all citizens.

 

QUALITY OF LIFE

VISION

Conyers-Rockdale will have a sense of community and retain the traditional values of small town America.

STRATEGIES

A. Youth and Family

1. Encourage parents to be involved in the overall development, discipline, safety and welfare of their children. Teach parenting skills that will allow parents to provide a stronger role in the development of their children. Develop an understanding of the result of choices that youth and families make on their future.

2. Provide opportunities for involvement in developmental programs for all ages of youth and abilities including academic enrichment, arts and cultural activities, and recreational activities. These experiences could be offered as non Board of Education activities at the school site, after school through the middle school grades, on a time schedule to be completed by 6:00 p.m. They should be offered on an age appropriate basis during the summer.

3. Encourage parents to make the care and development of their children their first priority versus attaining material wealth or enhancing their own lifestyle.

4. Ensure that every young person has at least one adult mentor. Expect that this mentoring will be provided by the family. Where this cannot be done, community organizations, churches, senior citizens and individuals will fill the gap. Encourage students to mentor younger students.

5. Encourage business involvement in after-school programs not only in funding but also in program content and other ways.

6. Provide after school busing for sports and other enrichment opportunities.

7. Expand youth opportunities in organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs.

8. Provide opportunities for senior citizens to remain engaged in community activities including cultural, employment, recreation and volunteerism.

9. Provide flexible work schedules that help families accommodate their children's needs and academic development.

B. Sense of Community

1. Encourage government, education and community leadership to work together in partnership to provide the leadership necessary to create the sense of community we envision in this document.

2. Enhance our reputation as an open and embracing community reflective of the diverse world economy/community.

C. Public Safety

1. Create the reality and perception of safety in all our neighborhoods. Enforce a no tolerance approach to enforcement of drug laws. Ensure that police officers and sheriff's deputies are visible throughout the county. Increase the pay scale for all public safety departments to be competitive and avoid losing trained personnel.

D. Image

1. Improve the visual image of the major transportation corridors for the benefit of our citizens and to be competitive in job creation.

E.  Recreation, Arts & Culture

1.    Develop a comprehensive schedule of arts and cultural activities that includes culturally diverse programs. Maintain competitive facilities that enhance the image and quality of life of Rockdale.

F.   Social Services

1. Provide emergency assistance and quality of life enhancement programs for the less fortunate. Coordinate the services of organizations to conserve limited resources and provide seamless delivery of services. Increase the number of willing givers and the amount they give to organizations like the United Way.

2.    Create an environment where it is easy for individuals to help those in need. Encourage more individual participation in the support community.

3.    Provide an emergency shelter for families in Rockdale.

G. Health

1. Provide a balance between provision of acute healthcare, wellness and preventive programs, and education in the impact of lifestyle choices.

H. Religion

1. Support the spiritual values of our community by encouraging a strong ministerial association.

** The highest priority strategies within each foundation are indicated by bold type.

 
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