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138 schools of recognition named
Posted: 9/2/2009 2:19:06 PM
From the Department of Public Instruction
“We’re starting the 2009-10 school year with a spotlight on what is right in education: schools that help disadvantaged students make academic progress,” said State Superintendent Tony Evers in announcing this year’s 138 Wisconsin Promise Schools of Recognition.
The schools receiving awards have some of the highest poverty rates in the state, based on free and reduced-price school lunch data. Additionally, student achievement on statewide reading and mathematics assessments in these schools is higher than the state average for schools with similar poverty rates and grade configurations. The schools also made adequate yearly progress for the past two years as defined under federal education laws, known as the No Child Left Behind Act. Finally, the schools are Title I eligible or receive Title I funding. Title I is a federal program that provides funds for a variety of services to school districts and schools with high numbers or high percentages of children who are economically disadvantaged.
Schools meeting all four criteria will receive award plaques at an October 20 ceremony at the State Capitol and $2,000 for use by the school. During the awards ceremony, seven schools will receive flags for earning the Wisconsin Promise School of Recognition award for five consecutive years. Another 15 schools have received the award for more than five years.
“While each of these schools is unique, they share some common traits that contribute to students’ academic success,” Evers said. “These schools know that educating children is a partnership that requires commitment by teachers, parents, administrators, other staff members, and the community to create an environment that supports every student. Through this partnership, these schools work to ensure every child graduates with the tools to be productive citizens ready for the workforce or further education.”
The DPI news release, including the complete listing of schools honored, is available at http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2009_23.pdf.