Bedford and Chesterfield County Schools Earn National ESEA Awards
RICHMOND — The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators has designated Big Island Elementary in Bedford County and Crestwood Elementary in Chesterfield County as National ESEA Distinguished Schools for 2021-2022.
Big Island Elementary was selected for exceptional student performance and academic growth for two consecutive years. More than 46% of Big Island students are economically disadvantaged.
“Principal Andy Bliss and the staff of Big Island Elementary have forged multiple partnerships with community groups to support the academic success of students and meet their physical, social and emotional needs,” Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane said. “Big Island is the center of a community in which everyone recognizes that they have a stake in preparing students for success.”
Crestwood Elementary was selected for excellence in serving English learners. More than 22% of Crestwood students are English learners.
“Principal Lindsay Porzio and her team at Crestwood Elementary have created a learning community where diverse students, dedicated teachers, community support, research-based instruction and innovative strategies create a recipe for the success of all learners,” Lane said. “Crestwood has maintained this positive culture while closing achievement gaps despite the challenges of the pandemic and moving to temporary classrooms while the school was rebuilt.”
Both Big Island Elementary and Crestwood Elementary achieved state accreditation for two consecutive years prior to the waiver of school ratings last year because of COVID-19.
Both schools will be recognized during the 2022 National ESEA Conference, February 16-19, 2022, in New Orleans.
ESEA is the abbreviation for the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The most recent reauthorization of ESEA, the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, requires states to establish long-term and interim goals for increasing student achievement in reading and mathematics.
Title I of ESEA provides funds to all of Virginia’s school divisions for supplemental educational support to eligible schools. The focus of this program is to raise the achievement level of students at risk of academic failure due to poverty and other factors.
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