Gov. Sonny Perdue of Georgia announced a plan last week to place a “graduation-coach” in every middle school in the state by the 2007-08 school year.
The initiative, unveiled as a part of the first-term Republican’s bid for re-election, builds on a high school graduation-coach plan that he proposed and lawmakers adopted earlier this year. More than 330 coaches are working in high schools this fall—identifying students who are at risk of dropping out, helping them with course selection and graduation planning, and mentoring. The coaches complement the work of high school guidance counselors.
Middle school coaches would emphasize the importance of middle school grades in high school placement, begin career planning and high school course selection with students, and provide tutoring and academic assistance.
