Harlem High students do receive SAT prep time

Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to clarity the misinformation provided to your readers by M.A. Hogue in her Oct. 16 letter, "Harlem High shut out of preparation for SAT?"

First, Harlem High School did not offer PSAT classes in an after-school program. All students were given information about the PSAT and SAT through the school-wide advisement program (Harlem's Educational Leadership Program) and classroom guidance sessions. Also, all 10th-grade English classes were utilized to review specific PSAT information and test-taking skills.

Secondly, Harlem High School offers a variety of after-school programs in an effort to assist students in meeting their educational goals. These programs include SAT preparatory classes, after-school tutoring programs, a credit recovery program, and Georgia High School Graduation Test preparatory classes.

These extension programs are available to all students. Students are informed of the dates, times and locations of these programs through the monthly Student Services Bulletin given to all students in homeroom, in the monthly advisement programs, in the daily announcements and from the homeroom teachers.

Finally, the primary focus of Harlem's faculty and staff is the school's mission, and not the school's ranking. The school's mission is to provide opportunities for all students to learn essential concepts that will allow them to meet the challenges of a technological world.

The teachers continuously exhibit a high level of commitment to this mission, as evidenced by their willingness to implement educational strategies and programs that are visionary in nature and promote student achievement. Harlem High School's teachers have high expectations for all students.

Carla Shelton

Guidance Counselor

Harlem High School