News
The 2008-2009 Results Are In
The 2008-2009 Report Card for School Turnaround schools shows significant gains in both reading and mathematics for many schools. Reading scores made average gains of 27 percentage points when compared to 2008 data. Mathematics scores gained an average of 23 percentage points.
Special recognition should be given to Principal Ann Davis of Rich Square Creecy Elementary School in Northampton County, North Carolina. Her third grade reading scores showed an impressive 35 point gain. At Willis Hare Elementary, also in Northampton County, Principal Barbara Stephenson led a 39 point gain in 5th grade mathematics scores.
Sunrise McMillian Elementary School in Fort Worth, Texas, targeted their 5th grade science as an area in need of improvement. Principal Marion Mouton is pleased to show an impressive 35 point gain in 2009.
Arne Duncan — U.S. Secretary of Education— Visits St. Louis Public Schools
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School Turnaround Principal of the Year
Dale Castro, Principal of Mililani Waena Elementary School in Hawaii has been selected as the 2009 School Turnaround Principal of the Year. Under his leadership, Mililani Waena students have made substantial gains on the Hawaii state assessments. Achievement in both reading and math greatly exceeded the established NCLB targets during both the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school years. Twenty-six percentage points' increase in 4th grade reading and thirty-eight percentage point's increase in 4th grade mathematics are two examples of the impressive gains students have achieved. Dale has led his school to the NCLB status of School in Good Standing Unconditional.
The school will receive a monetary prize to be spent at the discretion of the leadership and a celebration will be hosted as part of the award.
Two Participating Fort Worth Schools Get Recognition
On June 1, 2009 Dr. Melody Johnson, Fort Worth ISD Superintendent, acknowledged the heroic efforts of the teams of teachers, administrators, central office staff, and community partners that were charged with the task of working in some of their most academically-challenged schools. She announced a number of schools improving to the status of Academically Acceptable campuses, including Sunrise McMillian Elementary, which participated in the 2007-2009 School Turnaround program. Sunrise McMillian, under the leadership of Principal Marion Mouton, is projected to be removed from the Academically Unacceptable list.
Margarita Garcia, Principal at Oaklawn Elementary and a School Turnaround Specialist, was praised by Dr. Johnson for the tremendous work done by the entire staff at Oaklawn Elementary. Oaklawn is projected to be removed from the Academically Unacceptable list and earn Recognized status. Dr Johnson stated, "this is an amazing accomplishment in one year's time".
Congratulations to the entire staffs of Sunrise McMillian Elementary and Oaklawn Elementary for all their hard work.
St. Louis Schools select School Turnaround as Partner for Turning Around SchoolsSt. Louis Public School District
St Louis Public School District has chosen the national program School Turnaround as its partner for significant improvement in academic achievement in the next two academic years. A contract was approved by the board on May 14, 2009.
School Turnaround will focus on all of the district's middle schools and a handful of low performing elementary schools. The program focuses on the principal as the key to school success and emphasizes the power of having targets down to the classroom level and data systems that help each teacher know what to do next with each of their students.
School Turnaround Founder and Chief Academic Officer, Gillian Williams, noted, "St.Louis met all of our criteria for a successful partnership - starting with strong support from the superintendant, district office leaders and the board. We also will have the freedom and flexibility to hit the ground running. Turnaround is blunt and fast-paced -driven by the urgent need for change - and this district is ready for it. Two years from now we fully expect these schools to have shown marked improvement as a result of this partnership."
School Turnaround and Hawaii Department of Education Continue Partnership for 2009-2010 School Year
School Turnaround will continue its partnership with the Hawaii Department of Education for the 2009-2010 school year. School Turnaround has been present in Hawaii since 2007 and has worked with 11 schools in that time. The 2008-2009 school year will have six participating schools. Five of these schools are starting their second year in the program, while the sixth school is in the first year of the program.
School Turnaround Partners With the Community Foundation
The Community Foundation of Shreveport-Bossier and School Turnaround have formed a partnership to work with schools in Shreveport, Louisiana. Vivian Elementary will participate in the core School Turnaround program, while Keithville Elementary/Middle School, Arthur Circle Elementary, and Mooringsport Elementary will participate in the Data Use Readiness program.
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