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The 'Elephant in the Room'
Morehouse College President Walter Massey challenged Atlanta leaders to define the role of higher education in stalking what he called "our collective elephant in the room" – the need to improve K-12 public education. Massey, who retires from Morehouse in June after a long career in science and education, spoke at the ARCHE Board Chair's dinner Tuesday at SCAD-Atlanta. He recounted many efforts over the years to improve public education, including those collected in ARCHE's directory on higher ed partnerships with K-12 schools. 
"If somehow we could find a way to do something collectively – in a coherent, systematic way – I believe we could have an enormous impact in actually making a difference in the quality of K-12 education," he said. The Atlanta region has a good chance of success, he said, because of the city of Atlanta's focus on school reform and the unique collaborative environment ARCHE creates in bringing institutions together. Read the full speech. >
April is Autism Awareness Month
Georgia State University offers a master of education degree with a concentration in autism spectrum disorders. There is high demand for teaching professionals with special training because of the dramatic increase in children being identified with the disorders, says associate professor Juane Heflin. She also is developing an online multimedia tool to help schools evaluate their work with autism spectrum students.
A University of Georgia graduate special education program that prepares Gwinnett elementary teachers to work with children with autism received a $793,000 federal grant to expand its work to Clarke, Cobb and Forsyth counties. A UGA clinic also provides comprehensive evaluations for individuals who may have autism spectrum disorders.
Emory University researchers are building a national DNA databank and exploring the link between autism and a disorder associated with a missing portion of a chromosome. Understanding the link could lead to earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment.
Agnes Scott Installs Kiss as President
 Elizabeth Kiss is inaugurated as Agnes Scott College's eighth president today. After the ceremony, a symposium, "Stand Up, Speak Up: Empowered Women Empowering Others," will convene an international panel. Kiss (pronounced "keesh") took the helm of Agnes Scott in August 2006, after serving as director of the Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University. She specializes in moral and political philosophy and speaks about ethics, moral education and academic integrity. She was a Rhodes Scholar and holds degrees from Davidson College and Oxford University. Agnes Scott, located in Decatur, is an independent liberal arts college for women.
A Gathering of Atlanta Higher Ed Leaders
The presidents of ARCHE's 19 public and private institution members make up its board of trustees, many of whom attended the ARCHE Board Chair's dinner Tuesday at SCAD-Atlanta. From left: Michael Battle, Interdenominational Theological Center; Walter Broadnax, Clark Atlanta University; Elizabeth Kiss, Agnes Scott College; Larry Schall, Oglethorpe University; Paula Wallace, Savannah College of Art and Design; Tom Harden, Clayton State University; ARCHE Board Chair Lisa Rossbacher, Southern Polytechnic State University; Walter Massey, Morehouse College; Ed Schrader, Brenau University; and ARCHE President Mike Gerber.
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Photo credits: Agnes Scott College, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Institute of Technology, Oglethorpe University, Savannah College of Art and Design-Atlanta.
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Oglethorpe University on Peachtree in Brookhaven is home to the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art, which, in addition to its permanent collection, presents several exhibitions each year. Through May 13, see 35 rare Rembrandts in "Sordid and Sacred: The Beggars in Rembrandt's Etchings." Know more >
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