FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 3, 2000
Lowell Elementary is the recipient of the Year 2000 National Title I Distinguished Schools Recognition Award. Lowell is one of only two Wisconsin schools to receive the award. The certificate, as well as a banner for the exterior of the school, will be presented in Indianapolis on May 2 by the US Department of Education and the National Association of State Title I Directors.
Title I serves students who live in high-poverty areas and is designed to help students master the basics and move on to more challenging subject matter. Twenty of Madison's 29 elementary schools have Title I programs. Winning projects are evaluated on six criteria: opportunities for all children to meet proficient and advanced levels of performance; professional development; coordination with other programs; curriculum and instruction to support achievement of high standards; partnership among schools, parents and communities; and, three years of successful achievement data.
Selected schools are nominated by the state education agency and an independent evaluation panel determines the school's effectiveness in raising student achievement levels. Test scores, grade promotions, student self-assessment, teacher and parent ratings, as well as discipline and attendance are reviewed to measure a school's gains.
In three years, Lowell has moved from 60 percent of its students scoring at standard on the Wisconsin Third Grade Reading Test to 100 percent at standard. On the 4th grade Wisconsin Student Assessment System test, Lowell students showed a 30 to 50 percent improvement from 1997-98 to 1998-99. Fourth grade students in Wisconsin are tested on reading, science, social studies, math and Language Arts.
The Title I Distinguished Schools Recognition awards have been presented for 15 years. Last year no Wisconsin school received the award. This year James Whitcomb Riley Elementary in Milwaukee will be honored along with Lowell Elementary.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sue Abplanalp, Lowell Elementary principal, 246-4486
Public Information Office
545 W. Dayton St.
Madison, WI 53703
608-266-6270
email: newsrelease@madison.k12.wi.us
Last Modified: 2000-04-03
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