State education officials claim a big improvement in Georgia’s high school graduation rate; independent organizations say the real rate is much lower . . .
Georgia’s average SAT entrance exam score continues to decline, despite the changeover to a supposedly more rigorous academic curriculum; national average is the same as last year’s score . . .
Rep. Steve Davis wants to improve Georgia’s high school graduation rate — by lowering the academic requirements for graduating from high school . . .
Georgia continues to rank among the unhealthiest states in the country, falling to 43rd place in the United Health Foundation’s annual rankings . . .
Brad Bryant, Gov. Sonny Perdue’s choice to be interim state school superintendent, falls short in his efforts to collect 44,071 petition signatures that would have qualified him as an independent candidate in the general election . . .
Independent candidates face a Tuesday deadline of 12 noon to submit their petitions for the general election ballot . . .
