Leesburg Elementary Named Title I “Distinguished School”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, October 12, 2006
CONTACTS:
Mary Jane Michalak, 317-232-6616
Lee Ann Kwiatkowski, 317-232-0540

Representatives from the Indiana Department of the Education surprised students, faculty and staff at an Indianapolis elementary school today with a national recognition. Warsaw Community Schools’ Leesburg Elementary School joins 60 schools nationwide as a 2005-2006 Title I “Distinguished School.” The honor comes through the Title I Distinguished Schools Program, a joint project of the National Association of State Title I Directors (NASTID) and the U.S. Department of Education.

The program, which began in 1996, honors schools that have shown exceptional results either for sustained student achievement or for closing the achievement gap.

“These schools are proof that all students can learn when given the time and attention of dedicated professionals,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed said.

To be considered for the program, the schools must have a poverty rate of at least 40 percent and be nominated by the individual state’s Title I programs. The Indiana Department of Education’s Title One office identified the top schools statewide through a review of student achievement data, an examination of Adequate Yearly Progress data, telephone interviews with the school principal and on-site visits with the school.

Schools selected for the Distinguished Schools award must demonstrate strengths in the following areas:

Opportunity for all children to meet proficient and advanced levels of performance,
Strong professional development,
Coordination with other programs,
Curriculum and instruction to support achievement of high standards; and
Partnerships among schools, parents and communities.

Once nominated by their state, the schools submit data covering the last three years of achievement, along with a one-page school description. A national panel, made up of representatives from NASTID, selects the final winners.

IDOE Title I Programs Director Lee Ann Kwiatkowski helped identify Indiana’s schools and nominated the top two schools for the award.

“The schools are using approaches, programs and creative education techniques that work,” Kwiatkowski said. “They should be very proud of this accomplishment.”

Representatives from the schools honored will be recognized at the National Title I Conference in January. Additionally, each school receives a high performing school grant award and a plaque to hang inside their school. The NASTID Website, www.TitleI.org, will feature the stories of individual schools and provides others with contact information to help facilitate the spread of best practices.

Title I is the largest federal-aid program in K-12 education, serving over 150 million children nationwide. The program helps provide additional support in reading, writing, and mathematics.