By Randy Hogan | August 14, 2012
Read the full article at Helena-Arkansas.com >
KIPP Delta College Prep High School is among 19 Arkansas public schools recently designated as 2011 Exemplary Schools by the Arkansas Department of Education. The ADE made the announcement Friday.
The ADE defines exemplary schools as those demonstrating high student academic performance, schools with high student academic progress and schools with large populations of at-risk students with high academic performance.
Three years of Arkansas Benchmark and End of Course Exam results are used to determine exemplary schools. The scores are used to calculate a three-year average percentage of students scoring proficient and advanced in literacy and math combined for 2009 through 2011.
“The work of these students and the educators at these schools merit the distinction of being exemplary schools,” said Commissioner of education Dr. Tom Kimbrell.
“The students have proven they are on track to being college, career and future ready by the time they graduate high school.”Besides the recognition, exemplary schools may receive more independence regarding state and federal funds. They also may be exempt from certain annual plans and monitoring.
Representatives from the exemplary schools will be invited to share strategies and interventions with other schools.The ADE classified KIPP Delta as a high performance high TAGG Exemplary School District.
TAGG stands for Targeted Achievement Gap Group.To maintain exemplary designation, the schools must meet the math and literacy annual measurable objectives.
“We're really proud of the results and how hard the students have worked to demonstrate high academic performance,” said Todd Dixon, principal of KIPP High School.
“We look forward to continuing to work hard to achieve exemplary status in the future.”“We cannot be more proud of our teachers and students at KIPP Delta Collegiate High School,” commented Scott Shirey, KIPP director.
“The distinction of being an exemplary school comes on the back of considerable hard work, persistence, and dedication. We will seek to continue this high level of achievement, both at our high school and all other schools within our network.”