ATLANTA (AP) — School districts across Georgia are cutting graduation coaches amid the worst budget crisis in decades.
State data shows at 170 graduation coach jobs out of 840 have been cut since last year. And school officials say those numbers likely will only get worse as the state continues to slash millions from school budgets.
Gov. Sonny Perdue started the graduation coach program in 2006 in hopes of raising the state's high school graduation rate. The coaches focus on students at-risk of dropping out and help them get back on track to graduate.
Late last year, Perdue credited the program with a 10 percent decrease in high school dropouts in Georgia for two years in a row. About 79 percent of students graduate high school in Georgia.
Local News
<font color="#FF0000">NEW!</font> Ga. schools cut graduation coaches to help budgets
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Tift Co. Pre-K applications available
Applications for the 2012-13 Georgia Public Pre-K Program will be available March 12 through March 23 at the Tift County Pre-K Center and at all Tift County primary schools. This program provides preschool learning experiences for children who are 4 years of age on or by September 1, 2012.
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Report details plans for new Ga. to Miss. highway
A federal report details plans for a possible new interstate highway that would move traffic from Augusta through central Georgia and Alabama to Natchez, Miss.
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Murder victim’s identity stolen
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Local vet injured in motorcycle accident
Dr. Larry Branch, 60, of Quailwood Animal Hospital was involved in a motorcycle wreck at approximately 10:35 a.m. Sunday, which resulted in his breaking several bones and being airlifted from Tift Regional Medical Center to the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon.
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Texas drought means higher prices for Ga. ranchers
Georgia cattle producers soon should see higher prices for their beef cattle due to a drought in Texas that's contributing to a shortage of cattle, authorities said.
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Rain, sleet, snow possible in North Georgia
Forecasters say a mix of freezing rain and snow is possible over parts of North Georgia as moisture combines with cold air in the region.
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Mark York to run for post
Chief Magistrate Judge James M. (Mark) York announced Friday his candidacy in the July Primary for the office of magistrate of Tift County.
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