Two NE Ga. middle schools recognized by state group

ATLANTA - A report released by the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education identifies 12 middle schools - including those in Lumpkin and Union counties - that are witnessing "great success" in preparing their students for future high school and beyond. The study revealed certain commonalities the researchers say are paying dividends.

Dr. Donna O'Neal conducted this project as well as 2009 research that identified 15 Georgia high schools that had a graduation rate of at least 85 percent in 2008; increased the graduation rate by at least 10 percentage points over five years, 2004