Friday, January 16, 2004

Fulton schools named to excellence list

Crabapple Crossing Elementary School in Alpharetta, Campbell Elementary School in Fairburn, and High Point Elementary School in Sandy Springs have been named 2004 Georgia Schools of Excellence, the Georgia Department of Education (GDOE) announced January 7.

“This announcement is an indication that our teachers and our schools are doing a good job,” said Interim Fulton Superintendent Michael J. Vanairsdale. “Teachers are effectively teaching the curriculum, using student testing data, and making adjustments to teaching delivery so that every student can achieve at their highest potential. These factors, as well as strong community support, help our schools to be successful and deserving of the Georgia Schools of Excellence distinction.”  

This year the GDOE reorganized the Schools of Excellence program to be aligned with the selection standards used in the U.S. Department of Education’s No Child Left Behind/Blue Ribbon Schools program. Both programs recognize schools that have shown significant improvement or that are consistent top performers on state assessments.

Selected schools must demonstrate dramatic improvement in a school environment with significant populations of students from disadvantaged backgrounds or score in the top 10 percent on state assessments. Crabapple Crossing was selected for scoring in the top 10 percent on the 2003 CRCT in reading/language arts and math, while Campbell and High Point were selected for continuous gains in reading/language arts and math over the previous three years.

Scores from the 4th, 6th, and 8th grade CRCT were used to initially qualify schools. Other factors included meeting Adequate Yearly Progress, having a minimum of 80 percent of the staff designated “highly qualified,” as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act, and having been in existence for a minimum of five full years.

Crabapple Crossing, Campbell, and High Point will be honored at a banquet in May hosted by State Superintendent Kathy Cox. Twenty-six schools statewide were selected for recognition in the annual program.