Tennessee Announces 2008 Title I Distinguished Schools
Nashville, TN – Two Tennessee schools earned the honor of National Title I Distinguished Schools, and two other schools are State Title I Distinguished Schools. The national awardees are Fall Hamilton Enhanced Option School in Davidson County for making significant progress in closing the achievement gap and Unity School in Lincoln County for outstanding academic achievement overall. Two Memphis City Schools are state-level winners: Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary and Star Academy.
“This award program honors successful schools and establishes a network through which educators may share approaches proven to help all students learn,” Education Commissioner Lana Seivers said. “I congratulate Tennessee’s state and national Title I distinguished schools for finding ways to reach all students.”
Achievement data, poverty data, and Adequate Yearly Progress success for two or more consecutive years are used to screen for schools selected for site visits. During the site visits, state evaluators review the following areas:
- teaching and learning based on the approved state curriculum
- use of research-based instructional strategies
- opportunities provided for all students to achieve
- coordination of Title I program with other programs
- implementation of sustained research-based professional development
- established partnerships with parents, families, and the community
“As educators, we need to continuously improve how we serve at-risk students,” Executive Director of Federal Programs Dr. Julie McCargar said. “Students may enter school with an educational disadvantage but they should graduate having received the same academic opportunities as their peers.”
Schools are recognized either for demonstrating exceptional academic performance for two or more consecutive years, or for closing the achievement gap between groups of students. Nashville will host the 2008 National Title I Conference January 31 through February 3. Read about the Title I Distinguished Schools award program at http://www.titlei.org/dsp.html.
For more information, contact Rachel Woods at (615) 253-1960 or Rachel.Woods@state.tn.us.