Chamber News

Patrick Co. Schools Received Recognition from VA Board of Education

Schools and School Divisions Recognized for Raising Achievement of Economically Disadvantaged Students Thirteen public school divisions and 118 schools are being honored by the Virginia Board of Education for raising the academic achievement of economic

For Immediate Release Contact: Charles Pyle April 30, 2008 Director of Communications (804) 371-2420 Julie C. Grimes Communications Manager (804) 225-2775 The awards are based on student achievement on state assessments during 2006-2007 and the previous school year. The following school divisions earned the designation of “Distinguished Title I School Division� by exceeding all achievement objectives in reading and mathematics under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) for two consecutive years and meeting other rigorous criteria: • Amelia County • Goochland County • Halifax County • Highland County • Hopewell • Lee County • Lynchburg • Nottoway County • Patrick County • Poquoson • Salem • Scott County • West Point In addition, the board recognized 118 schools as “Title I Distinguished Schools� for maintaining full state accreditation under the commonwealth’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. “These awards show that all children — regardless of family income — can learn and achieve,� said Board of Education President Mark E. Emblidge. “With all this success it is easy to forget that there once was a widespread belief that children from economically disadvantaged communities should not be expected to meet high standards.� “Educators in these schools overcome challenges every day as they prepare children for brighter futures,� said Superintendent of Public Instruction Billy K. Cannaday Jr. “They focus on each child and are not daunted by higher annual benchmarks.� Each school and division will receive a certificate celebrating its status and achievement. The recognized schools, grouped by division, are as follows: • Albemarle County — Brownsville Elementary, Paul H. Cale Elementary, Red Hill Elementary, Scottsville Elementary, Stone Robinson Elementary, Stony Point Elementary and Woodbrook Elementary • Alexandria — Samuel W. Tucker Elementary • Amherst County — Pleasant View Elementary and Temperance Elementary • Appomattox County — Appomattox Elementary (more) • Augusta County — Edward G. Clymore Elementary and Wilson Elementary • Botetourt County — Breckinridge Elementary and Buchanan Elementary • Buchanan County — J.M. Bevins Elementary • Buckingham County — Buckingham Primary and Gold Hill Elementary • Campbell County — Altavista Elementary • Carroll County — Fancy Gap Elementary and Gladesboro Elementary • Charlottesville — Greenbrier Elementary • Chesapeake — Camelot Elementary • Chesterfield County — Reams Road Elementary • Colonial Heights — Lakeview Elementary and Tussing Elementary • Covington — Edgemont Primary • Dickenson County — Clintwood Elementary • Dinwiddie County — Southside Elementary and Sunnyside Elementary • Fairfax County — Belvedere Elementary • Falls Church — Thomas Jefferson Elementary • Floyd County — Check Elementary • Franklin County — Callaway Elementary, Glade Hill Elementary, Lee M. Waid Elementary and Snow Creek Elementary • Gloucester County — Achilles Elementary, Botetourt Elementary and Thomas C. Walker Elementary • Goochland County — Byrd Elementary and Goochland Elementary • Hanover County — Beaverdam Elementary • Henrico County — Dumbarton Elementary • Henry County — Rich Acres Elementary and Sanville Elementary • Isle of Wight County — Hardy Elementary and Windsor Elementary • Lee County — Elk Knob Elementary, Ewing Elementary and St. Charles Elementary • Lexington — Harrington Waddell Elementary • Loudoun County — Leesburg Elementary and Meadowland Elementary • Lynchburg — Paul Munro Elementary and Robert S. Payne Elementary • Mecklenburg County — Boydton Elementary, Buckhorn Elementary, Clarksville Elementary, LaCrosse Elementary and South Hill Elementary • Montgomery County — Margaret Beeks Elementary • Nelson County — Rockfish River Elementary • Patrick County — Stuart Elementary • Pittsylvania County — Chatham Elementary, John L. Hurt Elementary and Mount Airy Elementary • Poquoson — Poquoson Elementary • Portsmouth — Hodges Manor Elementary • Powhatan County — Pocahontas Elementary • Prince George County — L.L. Beazley Elementary, North Elementary and South Elementary • Richmond — Fairfield Court Elementary, J.E.B. Stuart Elementary, Linwood Holton Elementary and Southampton Elementary • Roanoke County — Clearbrook Elementary, Glen Cove Elementary, Green Valley Elementary and Mount Pleasant Elementary • Roanoke — Highland Park Elementary • Rockbridge County — Mountain View Elementary • Rockingham County — Mountain View Elementary, Plains Elementary and South River Elementary • Russell County — Cleveland Elementary and Lebanon Primary (more) • Salem — East Salem Elementary and G.W. Carver Elementary • Scott County — Hilton Elementary, Nickelsville Elementary, Rye Cove Intermediate and Weber City Elementary • Smyth County — Rich Valley Elementary and Saltville Elementary • Southampton County — Capron Elementary • Staunton — Thomas C. McSwain Elementary • Tazewell County — Abbs Valley-Boissevain Elementary, Cedar Bluff Elementary, Graham Intermediate, Springville Elementary and Tazewell Elementary • Virginia Beach — Green Run Elementary, Plaza Elementary, Rosemont Elementary and Windsor Oaks Elementary • Washington County — Greendale Elementary, High Point Elementary and Watauga Elementary • West Point — West Point Elementary • Wise County — Powell Valley Primary • Wythe County — Sheffey Elementary • York County — Bethel Manor Elementary, Dare Elementary, Magruder Elementary, Tabb Elementary and Waller Mill Elementary Title I of NCLB provides funding to school divisions and schools for programs to raise the achievement of students identified as being at risk. The federal education law requires schools and school divisions to meet annual objectives for increasing student achievement on statewide assessments in reading/language arts and mathematics. During 2006-2007, 544, or 75 percent, of Virginia’s 723 Title I schools met all NCLB objectives. # # #