Being named

a school of excellence is the second honor from the state that Fayette

Middle has received this year. It was also named a Pay for Performance

school, a program designed to promote exemplary school achievement as

well as faculty collaboration.

The Schools

of Excellence (SOE) program began in 1984. The nomination process for

the SOE program focuses on several vital areas: student focus and support;

school organization and culture; challenging standards and curriculum;

active teaching and learning; professional community; leadership and educational

vitality; school, family, and community partnerships; and indicators of

success.

Each local

school district is invited to nominate one elementary school, one junior

high or middle school, and one high school to the SOE program. It is possible

for 39 schools to be named Georgia Schools of Excellence each year: one

elementary, one middle or junior high school, and one high school from

each of Georgia's 13 congressional districts.

In December

2002, a panel of highly qualified educators reviewed each nominee. The

reviewers participated in a training session in order to ensure a higher

degree of quality and consistency in rating applications. Each school's

application was read and evaluated by individuals who signed assurances

indicating that they had no connection with the school in question.

In March, reviewers

conducted site visits and evaluated each school against the available

performance data in the department that indicated whether significant

improvement had been made.

The 20 winners

will be honored in May at a banquet hosted by Georgia School Superintendent

Kathy Cox.

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