8 Local Schools Recognized for Achievement of Economically Disadvantaged

By Amber Lester Kennedy Thursday, March 24, 2011

Eight area elementary schools are being honored by the Virginia Board of Education for raising the academic achievement of economically disadvantaged students.

Four schools in the Williamsburg-James City County school division and four in the York County school division made the cut of 103 schools recognized for the achievement. The awards are based on student achievement on state assessments during the 2009-2010 and 2008-2009 school years.

In WJCC, the schools recognized were James River Elementary, Matthew Whaley Elementary, Norge Elementary and Rawls Byrd Elementary. In York County, Bethel Manor Elementary, Dare Elementary, Tabb Elementary and Waller Mill Elementary were recognized. Each school will receive a certificate celebrating its status and achievement.

The board recognized the schools as “Title 1 Distinguished Schools” for maintaining full state accreditation under the state’s Standards of Learning program for two consecutive years, meeting federal benchmarks in reading and mathematics and having average test scores in both subjects at the 60th percentile or higher.

Title I provides funding to school divisions and schools for programs that attempt to raise the achievement of students identified as “at-risk” of academic failure. The federal education law requires schools and divisions to meet annual objectives for increasing student achievement on statewide tests in reading and math.

During the 2009-2010 school year, 66 percent of Virginia’s Title I schools met all federal objectives. In WJCC, D. J. Montague Elementary, a Title I school, did not meet objectives and had to offer school choice to parents. The school is now in its third year of “School Improvement” status, which required the division to make changes at the school to improve.