258 Schools Win State's Highest Honor
Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 04/18/2016 11:44 AM PDTHaving trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
258 Schools Win State’s Highest Honor
Washington Achievement Award uses state’s Achievement Index to select recipients in seven categories
OLYMPIA — April 18, 2016 — A total of 258 schools earned Washington Achievement Awards for 2015. Award-winning schools were notified this week via email by State Superintendent Randy Dorn and State Board of Education Chair Isabel Muñoz-Colón. This is the seventh year of the Washington Achievement Awards.
The awards use the State Board of Education Revised Achievement Index and are based on statewide assessment data for the three previous years. The Achievement Index measures school performance, emphasizing improvement and recognition. Schools cannot be listed as Priority or Focus and must have at least 95 percent participation on state tests to qualify for recognition.
“The Achievement Awards recognize schools and educators making a difference in student outcomes. Award recipients are schools that have made measurable progress helping students prepare for college, career, and life,” said Isabel Muñoz-Colón, State Board of Education Chair. “The Achievement Awards are one way we can learn more about the successful strategies Washington schools are using to help our kids.”
Schools are being recognized in seven categories:
- Overall Excellence
- High Progress
- English Language Arts Growth
- Math Growth
- Extended Graduation Rate (only awarded to high and comprehensive schools)
- English Language Acquisition
- Achievement Gap
“OSPI and the State Board of Education have spent a lot of time on the achievement index,” said Randy Dorn, superintendent of public instruction. “We’re very proud of the schools recognized for their performance on the index. Each school shows sustained growth or excellence, or both. I congratulate each and every school for the hard work they’ve done.”
The award-winning schools will be honored during a ceremony on May 10 at Union Gap School in Union Gap School District, itself an award winner for Overall Excellence, High Progress, English Language Arts Growth, Math Growth, and English Language Acquisition.
The Achievement Index is the only statewide school accountability system recognized by both the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Board of Education. The Achievement Index measures student proficiency in math, English language arts, science, student growth, and college and career readiness. Educators, families, and community members can use the Index to identify areas of strength and improvement in Washington’s schools.
More Information
Contact
Nathan Olson
OSPI Communications Manager
360-725-6015
Kristen Jaudon
OSPI Communications Specialist
360-725-6032
About OSPI
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is the primary agency charged with overseeing K–12 education in Washington state. Led by State Superintendent Randy Dorn, OSPI works with the state's 295 school districts and nine educational service districts to administer basic education programs and implement education reform on behalf of more than one million public school students.
OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.
Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director at 360-725-6162 or P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200.