Office of Public Relations:                                           For more information, contact: Stephen E. Snyder

(229) 931-2028                                                                         (229) 931-2037 ssnyder@canes.gsw.edu

(229) 931-2072 fax

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April 22, 2009

GSW education students get jobs and keep them

          AMERICUS—A report released this month by the University System of Georgia revealed that 100 percent of Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) certified teachers from the 2006 cohort were still working in Georgia in 2007. This represents a perfect 36 for 36.

            This also ranks Georgia Southwestern at number one among 15 other USG institutions that have teacher education programs. Figures are compiled annually from these 15 schools. The University of West Georgia was second on the list with a one-year retention rate of 98 percent, and North Georgia College and State University was ranked third with a 96.6 percent rate. System-wide, the one-year retention rate was 95 percent compared with an 86 percent retention rate for non-USG prepared teachers.

            “The report is evidence of the collaborative work of GSW faculty and staff in teacher education with our 39 Professional Development School (PDS) partners,” said Lettie Watford, Ph.D., dean of the GSW School of Education. “Students in GSW teacher education programs not only complete coursework in their fields of study preparing them to teach, but they also work with veteran teachers in classrooms for at least 900 field hours of hands-on experience in school systems within our PDS network. Their work at GSW and in real classrooms pays off with results like these.”

            The GSW School of Education provides exceptional undergraduate and graduate instruction. Education programs leading to degrees and/or eligibility for initial certification are offered in early childhood education, English, health and physical education, history, mathematics, middle grades education and special education. Georgia Southwestern also offers a Master of Education degree in curriculum and instruction and a Specialist of Education degree in learning and leading.

            To learn more about Georgia Southwestern’s School of Education, call (229) 931-2145.