Atlanta rapper Silento whips up enthusiasm for Georgia test

The state Department of Education turned to DeKalb recording sensation Silento to persuade Georgia students taking the NAEP test to try their best on it, even though it doesn’t count toward class grades.

A graduate of Redan High School, Silento, 19, is a rapper and songwriter who shot to fame with his debut single “Watch Me” (Whip/Nae Nae.) His real name is Ricky Lamar Hawk.

DOE deserves kudos for seeing the potential of “Nae, Nae” and “NAEP, NAEP,” an idea advanced by the fact someone in the agency knew Silento’s aunt.

Read the full story and see the video featuring Silento and Georgia students on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Get Schooled blog.

Blank Foundation pledges $50 million to boost grad rates at Atlanta’s HBCUs

The 10-year initiative will provide "gap scholarships" to help nearly 10,000 students at Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, Morris Brown and Spelman finish their degree program.

DeKalb superintendent’s alleged financial misdeeds were public before 2023 hiring

Allegations that DeKalb County Superintendent Devon Horton awarded no-bid contracts to his friends pre-date his hiring in DeKalb.

Students take the lead in Atlanta school board candidate town hall

Atlanta school board candidates answered directly to the people their policies would affect during a town hall at Georgia State University.

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Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Blank Foundation pledges $50 million to boost grad rates at Atlanta’s HBCUs

DeKalb superintendent’s alleged financial misdeeds were public before 2023 hiring

Students take the lead in Atlanta school board candidate town hall

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Credit: Andrew Harnik

High Museum to showcase Amy Sherald’s uncensored retrospective next summer

Georgia-born Amy Sherald gained national attention when she pulled her solo National Portrait Gallery exhibit, citing censorship. Atlantans will get to see it in its entirety.

Police, GBI investigating off-duty officer killing man near Buckhead bar

An Atlanta officer responding to a "disruptive patron" call at the 5 Paces Inn shoots the man after seeing him take an item he believed to be a gun from a car, GBI says.

Monday madness guide: Falcons, Hawks to bring traffic to downtown Atlanta

Expect packed MARTA trains and traffic snarls around State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Big crowds of Bills fans are expected to descend on the city.