Handley Elementary receives national recognition

Named Title I distinguished school for consistent high achievement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, October 1, 2007
Media Contacts:
Jason Bearce, 317.232.6618, jbearce@doe.in.gov
Lee Ann Kwiatkowski, 317.232.0540, lkwiat@doe.in.gov

LAPORTE, IND. – Representatives from the Indiana Department of the Education surprised students, faculty and staff at a local elementary school today with a national recognition. LaPorte Community School Corporation’s Handley Elementary School joins 60 schools honored nationwide as Title I Distinguished Schools by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Association of State Title I Directors.

“We know that all students can meet high standards when given the extra help they need to succeed, and the dedicated professionals at Handley Elementary serve as a first-rate example of that principle in action,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed said.

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. Since 1996, the Title I Distinguished Schools program has honored Title I schools that demonstrated exceptional progress in either sustained student achievement or closing the achievement gap.

To be considered for the honor, the schools must have a poverty rate of at least 40 percent and be nominated by the individual state’s Title I programs. 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 composed of State Title I Directors selects the final winners.

The Indiana Department of Education’s Title I office identified the top schools statewide through a review of student achievement data, an examination of Adequate Yearly Progress data, telephone interviews with school principals and on-site school visits. Schools considered for the honor must demonstrate the following:

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.

“Schools like Handley Elementary are using approaches, programs and creative education techniques that work,” Indiana Title I Director Lee Ann Kwiatkowski said. “They should be very proud of this accomplishment.”

In addition to receiving a high-performing school grant award and an honorary plaque, representatives from the Distinguished Title I schools will be recognized at the National Title I Conference in January. Visit www.TitleI.org for feature stories on individual schools and information on best practices.