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Highest USG SAT Scores Ever Recorded Surpass National Average

The best and brightest students are enrolling in the University System of Georgia in larger numbers each year, as evidenced by this fall's freshmen average SAT scores and institutional fall enrollment totals.

The System's Fall 2000 Enrollment Summary, presented to the regents during the November meeting, showed average SAT scores for first-time freshmen -- one of the strongest measures of the academic strength of incoming students -- are the highest in the System's history and for the first time also surpass the national average. The average combined SAT score for the System increased from 1,016 in Fall 1999 (the national average that year for all SAT takers), to 1,021 in Fall 2000 - surpassing this year's national average of 1,019 for all SAT takers.

Even more importantly, 11 System institutions now have average SAT scores over 1,000, compared to eight last year and only five in Fall 1994, when the System initiated new efforts to increase student performance.

This year, Armstrong Atlantic State University, with an average score of 1,028, Georgia Southern University, 1,008, and Georgia Southwestern State University, at 1,001, recorded average SATs over 1,000 for the first time. Check the box on this page for the other eight institutions whose SAT scores are all above 1,000.

"I am pleased that the University System has moved above the national average," said Chancellor Stephen R. Portch, "and also encouraged by the fact that each year more of our institutions are able to attract students with stronger academic preparation."

Armstrong Atlantic State University recorded the largest increase in SAT scores of all System institutions, jumping 66 points. Georgia Tech recorded a 26-point jump to 1,329, over what was already the highest score in the University System. Georgia Southern also produced an impressive 21-point increase.

Gainesville College and Macon State College also produced impressive results in both SAT performance and enrollment growth. Gainesville recorded a 10-point increase in its average SAT score, moving from 930 to 940, while also experiencing a 7.2 percent increase in enrollment (220 new students). Macon State's SAT scores moved 9 points, while the campus simultaneously experienced a dramatic 10 percent growth spurt in enrollment - an increase of 374 new students.

Meanwhile, the System recorded the second-largest headcount in its history. For the Fall 2000 semester, 205,878 students enrolled in the 34 USG institutions, reflecting an increase of one percent -- or 2,072 students -- over last year's headcount enrollment of 203,806.

The System's equivalent full-time enrollment (EFT) -- reflecting all hours enrolled divided by 15 -- increased even more, by 2,520 students (or 1.7 percent) over last year's EFT enrollment of 152,241 students. Portch's emphasis on improving the academic preparation of entering freshmen is being validated by these latest numbers. "The real winners, when you raise standards and expect students to come to college better prepared, are the students themselves," he stated. "I want to thank the teachers and the schools who are sending us these students." ¶

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ICAPP Business Survey Gives University System High Marks

What are Georgia's technology business leaders looking for in potential employees? A recent survey conducted by the University System's Intellectual Capital Partnership Program (ICAPP) identified critical-thinking skills, the ability to work in teams and oral-communication skills as the most-valued qualities sought by employers.

Computer skills ranked fourth in importance on a list of six identified skills and qualities among respondents, at 52 percent. Critical-thinking skills ranked 78 percent, and the ability to work in teams and oral communication both ranked at 60 percent.

And what do Georgia's technology executives think of the University System and its graduates? Over 83 percent of the survey respondents assessed the quality of the System as "excellent," "very good" or "good," and the same percentage was just as positive about the quality of graduates' computer skills. More than 80 percent of the respondents had employed graduates of the University System, and they used this personal knowledge of their performance to rate their preparation in these critical skills.

The ICAPP-commissioned survey - conducted via the Internet this past spring by Dr. Roger Tutterow, director of the Econometric Center in the Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University - solicited responses from members of the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG). More than 170 technology executives responded. Tutterow presented his findings, "Talent and Technology for the New Economy," to an audience of high-tech leaders during an ICAPP-sponsored workshop held in late October at the 2000 Georgia Technology Forum, a major event for the state's technology community sponsored annually by TAG.

When hiring a new employee to work in the information-systems arena, 74 percent of the technology employers who responded to the ICAPP survey said that they "strongly agree" or "agree" that they would prefer to hire a graduate of a science or technology school. Only 41 percent said the same about a graduate of a business school, and 20 percent responded similarly regarding a graduate of a liberal-arts program. At the same time, however, more than 76 percent of respondents either "strongly agreed" or "agreed" that courses in liberal arts are a valuable part of an employee's education.

Respondents rated Georgia as a "favorable climate in which to do business." The most frequently cited factors that make Georgia a desirable location for businesses are its position as a regional hub, the overall business climate and access to an airport or port. The University System of Georgia and ICAPP use data collected from business leader surveys and workforce assessments to drive academic programming and other strategic initiatives. ¶

Showcasing USG's Intellectual Capital
In addition to presenting the results of its survey of business leaders at the 2000 Georgia Technology Forum, ICAPP further leveraged its participation in the late October event by helping to sponsor the forum's opening reception, which was attended by the presidents and other high-level representatives of many University System institutions. Seated, left to right, are: President Bruce Grube, Georgia Southern University; President Michael Hanes, Georgia Southwestern State University; President Rosemary DePaolo, Georgia College & State University; President Jerry Ashcroft, East Georgia College; President Beheruz Sethna, State University of West Georgia; Vice President for Academic Affairs Edwin Rugg, Kennesaw State University. Back row: President Steve Maradian, Middle Georgia College; President Lisa Rossbacher, Southern Polytechnic State University; President Hugh Bailey, Valdosta State University; President Nathaniel Hansford, North Georgia College and State University; President Harold Wade, Atlanta Metropolitan College; President Clifford Brock, Bainbridge College; President Thomas Harden, Clayton College & State University; President Wayne Clough, Georgia Institute of Technology; and President Peter Sireno, Darton College. ICAPP also hosted a talent fair featuring more than 250 USG students on the final day of the Technology Forum.

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USG Lands National Security Grant to Teach Foreign Languages

Do you have a yen to take a sabbatical in Japan? Are professional relations with China or Russia in your future?

If so, the ability to speak the language would be a definite advantage, and the University System soon will be better prepared than ever to help, thanks to a four-year, $431,750 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense's National Security Education Program (NSEP).

The System's Office of International Programs and Services will use the funds to offer the System's 200,000-plus students Internet-based language courses in Japanese, Chinese and Russian.

Dr. Richard C. Sutton, director of International Programs and Services, announced the grant at the regents' November meeting. The USG project, titled "On-Line Interactive Multimedia Instruction in Japanese, Chinese and Russian," was among seven grant recipients selected by an independent, merit-based national panel from among nearly 100 initial applications.

The grant proposal was endorsed by a letter of support from Gov. Roy E. Barnes, who indicated his desire to "make foreign-language instruction in Georgia a model for the nation." Japan is Georgia's "single largest foreign investor," Barnes noted, and China represents its "largest potential export market." Georgia operates trade offices in both countries.

The distance-learning initiative is aimed at expanding the access of USG students to less-commonly taught foreign languages. The new courses in Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin) and Russian will be included as on-line USG academic offerings each semester beginning as early as Fall 2001. They will be offered through the University System's on-line portal, GeorgiaGLOBE.

All 34 USG institutions will be invited to participate in the initiative. In addition to the on-line foreign-language courses, enrolled students will be provided technical assistance and interactive linguistic and tutorial services. The courses will use multi-media design such as streaming audio and video, as well as recorded exercises to deliver the instruction.

Sutton anticipates the program will double the number of students currently enrolled in the three under-represented language courses. As of Fall 1999, 683 students within the University System were enrolled in Japanese courses, 274 were enrolled in Chinese courses, and 211 were enrolled in Russian courses. ¶

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Barnes Lauds Local Education Partnership

Gov. Roy E. Barnes and state Rep. Judy Poag (D-Eton) recently announced a partnership - the first of its kind in the state - in which Dalton State College in northwest Georgia will operate what amounts to a satellite campus at Murray County High School, located about 10 miles from the college in Chatsworth, beginning in January.

Initially, Dalton State will use the high school's classrooms during evening hours to offer a variety of technical courses aimed at high-school students enrolled in the college's Tech Prep program. Through an articulated Tech Prep arrangement jointly funded by the University System and the state Department of Technical and Adult Education, students earn technical credit that counts both toward high-school graduation and a program of study offered by the college's technical division.

Dalton State President James Burran hopes to expand the classes offered at the high school to include core-curriculum, general-education courses from the college's Postsecondary Options program as early as next fall. The academic courses also will meet both high-school and college graduation requirements.

"The drop-out rate at Murray County High School exceeds 35 percent," Burran said. "This initiative represents a partnership designed to both help more students complete high school and increase the postsecondary participation rate."

By shifting some of its adult technical students to the high school, Dalton State officials also will solve some of the space issues plaguing the campus.

Praising the initiative for keeping with the spirit of the seamless-education efforts of his Education Reform Study Commission, Barnes said, "Dalton State and Murray County High School have come up with a solution that will benefit all of their students. Adult students won't have to drive all the way to the college campus at night, rushing to get to class after a full day at work, and high-school students can get a head start on their college careers."

The partnership will be funded by a grant of approximately $125,000 from the state Department of Community Affairs. ¶

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Glenn S. White
Lawrenceville
CHAIR

Hilton Hatchett Howell, Jr.
Atlanta
VICE-CHAIR

Juanita Powell Baranco
Lithonia

Hugh C. Carter, Jr.
Atlanta

Connie Cater
Macon

Joe Frank Harris
Cartersville

John Hunt
Tifton

Edgar L. Jenkins
Jasper

Charles H. Jones
Macon

Donald M. Leebern, Jr.
Columbus

Elridge W. McMillan
Atlanta

Martin W. NeSmith
Claxton

J. Timothy Shelnut
Augusta

Joel O. Wooten, Jr.
Columbus

James D. Yancey
Columbus

Stephen R. Portch
CHANCELLOR

Gail S. Weber
SECRETARY TO THE BOARD

William R. Bowes
TREASURER

The System Supplement

Arlethia Perry-Johnson
ASSISTANT VICE CHANCELLOR

John Millsaps
COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING DIRECTOR

Diane Payne
DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS

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