Monday, April 7, 2008 10:01 PM CDT
State superintendent recognizes Kansas school district for academic achievement
By ROB STROUD, Staff Writer
rstroud@jg-tc.com
KANSAS — The state superintendent of schools gave the Kansas school district a proverbial red apple and gold star Monday afternoon for academic achievement.
State Superintendent Christopher Koch paid a visit to recognize Kansas Elementary School for making the 2007 Illinois Honor Roll for academic progress. He also noted that U.S. News & World Report ranked Kansas High School in December as one of the best public high schools in the United States.
Koch presented Kansas Principal Dwight Stricklin with an Illinois Honor Roll certificate before an assembly of students in the school’s new gymnasium.
During the assembly, Koch got an enthusiastic showing of hands when he asked how many of the young students enjoy reading. He said the honor roll recognition is an example of what they can achieve through learning.
“The more you study and prepare, the more it pays off later in life,” the state superintendent said.
Koch also praised the hard work of the school district’s students, teachers, administrators and staff as well as parents and the Kansas community as a whole. He said it takes everyone together to make a great school.
“Thank you for all you do,” said Superintendent Chris Long at the close of the assembly.
Kansas was one of less than 1,200 school districts, about one-fourth of the districts in the state, to make the Illinois Honor Roll.
Northern Illinois University worked with the Illinois State Board of Education to administer the honor roll. Kansas Elementary School was named in the Spotlight Schools category,
The state board’s Web site lists Spotlight Schools as high poverty schools where high academic performance is closing the “achievement gap.” The state board reports these schools exhibit achievements contrary to the conventional wisdom that test scores will reflect demographics despite local efforts.
All Spotlight Schools must be making Adequate Yearly Progress in academic testing, as defined by the federal No Child Left Behind legislation. At least half the students are from low-income families and at least 60 percent must be passing the state achievement tests in reading and mathematics.
Kansas Elementary School, which has grades kindergarten to eighth, is listed as have 57.1 percent low-income students. The percentage of the student body meeting or exceeding state standards was 72 percent in 2005 and 81 percent in both 2006 and 2007. They made Adequate Yearly Progress in both 2006 and 2007.
Koch also mentioned the honor from U.S. News & World Report. Kansas High School was one of 1,086 high schools to earn a bronze rating from the news magazine, which analyzed academic and enrollment data in 40 states.
“They have been overcoming a lot of odds in order to be successful,” Koch said, noting the small size of the Kansas school district.
Contact Rob Stroud at rstroud@jg-tc.com or 348-5734.
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krusayda wrote on Apr 8, 2008 10:03 AM: