Three Alaska Schools Named Blue Ribbon Schools;
September 07, 2012
"Our nation has no greater responsibility than helping all children realize their full potential," U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said. "Schools honored with the National Blue Ribbon Schools award are committed to accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers. Their work reflects the conviction that every child has promise and that education is the surest pathway to a strong, secure future."said Duncan. “The academic success of West Homer, Point Higgins and Tongass is a credit to their students, parents and educators, and to their communities,” said Alaska Education Commissioner Mike Hanley. “Their achievements are an inspiration.” The National Blue Ribbon Schools award recognizes schools in one of two performance categories. The first category is "Exemplary High Performing," in which schools are recognized among their state's highest performing schools, as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests. The second category is "Exemplary Improving," in which schools that have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds demonstrate the most progress in improving student achievement levels as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests. The U.S. Department of Education requests nominations from the top education official in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. The Council for American Private Education nominates private schools. Ketchikan's Point Higgins Elementary and Kenai's West Homer were honored as high-performing schools, and Ketchikan's Tongass School of Arts & Sciences as an improving school. At Ketchikan's Point Higgins Elementary, an approximately 250-student pre-kindergarten to grade 6 school, 94 percent of all students were proficient in reading and 92 percent in math in 2011. Eighty-eight percent of economically disadvantaged students were proficient in reading and 92 percent in math. Of Alaska Native students, 95 percent were proficient in reading and 100 percent in math. At Ketchikan's Tongass School of Arts & Sciences, an approximately 160-student pre-kindergarten to grade 6 charter school, 87 percent of all students were proficient in reading and 77 percent math in 2011 -- representing an increase of 15 percentage points in each subject since 2007. Eighty-one percent of economically disadvantaged students were proficient in reading and 69 percent in math in 2011. Of Alaska Native students, 70 percent were proficient in reading and 61 percent in math. Native students’ math scores have increased 11 percentage points since 2007. At West Homer, an approximately 225-student grade 3 to 6 school, 94 percent of all students were proficient in reading and math in 2011. Ninety-two percent of economically disadvantaged students were proficient in reading and 91 percent in math. Of Alaska Native students, 94 percent were proficient in reading and 83 percent in math. The schools will be honored at an awards ceremony November 12-13 in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Departmen of Education will honor approximately 219 public and 50 private schools at the recognition ceremony. In its 30-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this coveted award on nearly 7,000 of America's schools.
Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews
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