Economics of Education conference on Nov. 18

Marcia McRae of the Bainbridge Post-Searchlight:

Blakely, Ga.—Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (GPEE) and Bainbridge College Early County (BCEC) are sponsoring a Nov. 18 conference in Blakely for Southwest Georgia area educators, school systems’ leaders, and business and industry leaders, including Chamber of Commerce members.

The Economics of Education Conference will emphasize the role quality education plays in building a strong economic climate and in supporting Georgia’s capacity to compete globally, said BCEC faculty member John McRae, who is helping coordinate the conference.

The regional event will feature Susan Walker of GPEE. It will include a brief presentation on the Georgia Work Ready program that BCEC offers.

Kathaleena Monds of Albany State University, who is with the Georgia Council of Economic Education, will also attend.

Monds will share information on classes and materials the GCEE offers to teachers and school systems. The meeting will address the impact of education, economic development and work readiness.

Director of policy and research for the Georgia Partnership, Walker leads its efforts to produce high-quality educational research and publications that fulfill the mission of informing and influencing Georgia leaders.

She will present new, compelling data to point where participants’ communities stand in their ability to compete in economic development based on a community’s educational rankings. A guide for action that can be tailored to each locale will provide the essential next steps for making measurable improvements in school achievement.

GPEE’s first Economics of Education presentation was in 2004 as a joint venture with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Its continuing popularity resulted in a second edition in 2007. In 2008 Economics of Education II continued to be a popular draw with a wide range of audiences across Georgia.

With Chamber support, GPEE aims to raise awareness across the state that quality education is essential for economic development. Focusing on three key issues, early life experiences, academic achievement in every grade, and teacher quality, the briefing paints a clear picture that a vibrant, successful school system translates into a prosperous community and state. The partnership offers assistance by guiding communities through an initial planning phase in building an education action program.