From CSD Superintendent Dr. Phyllis Edwards…

Decatur, GA (2011)- Recently-released Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores show Decatur seniors scoring above state and national averages. 89% of Decatur’s graduating class took the SAT. The state average SAT composite score dropped from 1453 to 1445. The national average SAT composite score dropped from 1509 to 1500. The Decatur average SAT composite score increased from 1513 to 1518.

The Critical Reading section on the SAT offers the highest scores in Decatur. The 516 average (800 is a perfect score on this sub-test) is 19 points above the nation and 31 points above Georgia.

Math continues to be an area where improvement is needed. Decatur math scores stayed at 503. State math scores dropped to 487.

The gap between Decatur black and white students dropped from 495 to 421. Black students made significant gains, particularly in critical reading as scores increased from 417 to 441. Decatur’s black students outperformed other black students in critical reading, math, and writing at the state and national levels.

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Since no one seems to believe me when I say that the city has approached Trader Joe’s about a store in the past and that TJ’s said the numbers just don’t work, here’s a report from a resident who talked with TJ’s CFO last week.  Billy Planer writes in FFAF…

I was in Los Angeles last weekend and my friend introduced me to the CFO of Trader Joe’s. I told him I was from Decatur and he looked up and smiled and said “oh we have heard of Decatur. Your town is very persistent in contacting us about a location there”. He then went on to tell me it won’t be happening…the numbers just don’t work for them and he said that the midtown location is a really nice one but he wishes the roads near it were paved better and he was excited that we may go with Sunday alcohol sales.

• Ale Yeah: Growlers have “increased our overall sales by about 40 percent” [AJC]
• “…Decatur is proving to be a destination for dining any time of day” [CL]
• Hey, Where IS My September Decatur Focus?! [City of Decatur]
• Music Midtown Returns Smaller, with Coldplay and The Black Keys [ArtsCriticATL]
• New DeKalb Superintendent Drops a Line to the Community [DeKalb County School Watch]
• Who Needs Alternative Transportation When Gas Is Slightly Less Expensive? [AJC]
• I’m Too Sexy For This Train (Mid-century edition) [Pecanne Log]
• Duluth Train Depot Now Open For Tours [ABC]

Pic courtesy of Norcross Patch

Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed here over the past week.

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