Wilson High School and Lowell and Washington-Hoyt elementary schools won the 2011 School of Distinction award for outstanding improvement in student achievement in reading and math over a five-year period. They join 95 other state schools on the awards list. The Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE) and Phi Delta Kappa-Washington State Chapter sponsored the fifth annual School of Distinction award recognition in Washington state.
All three Tacoma schools appeared on the list for the first time.
“We at Washington-Hoyt are delighted to be given the Washington School of Distinction Award,” said Principal John Knight. “Our school is a magic blend of talented, dedicated teachers, highly supportive parents and very hard-working students. Thank you to the Center for Educational Effectiveness for acknowledging our effort, our teamwork, and our accomplishments.”
“This is nice recognition for years of hard work by Lowell teachers, support staff, and students, as well as the incredible support given by the Lowell community,” Principal Robert Dahl said. “Our goal each year is to continue setting a welcoming, positive, learning environment for our kids.”
“Ram Country is a great place to be. We have great families and great teachers,” said Wilson Principal Dan Besett, “Our very, very dedicated and committed staff has put a significant focus on reading and writing strategies and mathematics over the last couple years, and it’s finally paid off in a big way.”
The top 5 percent of the elementary schools, middle/junior high schools and high schools are recognized with this award and designated as a School of Distinction. Specifics of the methodology used to determine 2011 winners are summarized in the following bullets:
- The 2011 performance, as with the previous five years, is translated into a “Reading/Math Level Index” and must meet the minimum threshold: at or above the state median for the grade band.
- Unlike previous years where enough longitudinal data only existed in grades 4, 7 and 10, we now have longitudinal data from 2006-2011 in all grades.
- Three grade bands are used for calculation: 3, 4, and 5 for elementary schools, 6, 7 and 8 for middle or junior high schools and 10 for high schools. A school must have data in two of three grades to be considered for that band.
- The final data point was calculated using the Measures of Student Progress (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade) and High School Proficiency Exam (10th grade) from spring 2011.
- Using data from 2006 – 2011, provides six data points which identifies five improvement steps.
- A Reading/Math Level Index is calculated for all grades in band... e.g. a K-8 school would be eligible in both elementary and middle/junior high bands.
- A school must have data in at least three of six years to be considered, one of which must be 2011.
- "Improvement" is defined as the slope of linear trend over the five years.
- The number of schools comprising 5% is based on the number of schools at each grade band with 2011 data.