Maryland Honors 20 Washington County Schools

HAGERSTOWN, MD (December 3, 2004) - The Maryland State Department of Education is recognizing twenty local schools for making significant gains in student academic performance. The awards program, a requirement of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), recognizes schools statewide for the overall achievement of their students on the 2004 Maryland School Assessment and for improving the performance of special populations from 2003 to 2004. Special populations, identified under NCLB, include race/ethnicity, special education, limited English proficient, and those receiving free or reduced price meals.

“These awards represent the diligent effort on the part of everyone in our system to provide educational experiences that improve student achievement in our schools,” said Dr. Betty Morgan, Superintendent of Schools. “Kudos to these schools, their teachers, administrators, and support personnel, for all they do to achieve at high standards.”

Two local Title I elementary schools, Eastern Elementary School and Fountaindale Elementary School, will receive state financial awards of $7,233.68 . All other honored county schools will receive certificates of recognition from the Maryland State Department of Education and receive small monetary awards of $1000 each from the Washington County Board of Education:

• Six Washington County schools are receiving recognition for Performance Improvement: Clear Spring Elementary; Eastern Elementary; Fountaindale Elementary; Northern Middle; Western Heights Middle; North Hagerstown High.
• Thirteen Washington County schools are receiving recognition for Overall Achievement: Boonsboro Elementary, Greenbrier Elementary, Paramount Elementary; Sharpsburg Elementary; Smithsburg Elementary; Clear Spring Middle; Job Development Center; Marshall Street Center; Boonsboro High; Clear Spring High; Hancock Middle-Senior High; Smithsburg High; Williamsport High.
• One Washington County school is receiving an award for both Performance Improvement and Overall Achievement: Smithsburg Middle. (Note: Smithsburg Middle’s local award will include a $2000 award for achieving dual recognition.)

A local awards recognition will be part of the Superintendent’s Report at the December 14 Board of Education meeting.

The Maryland School Performance Recognition Program was created by the Maryland General Assembly in 1996 as a way to recognize schools good performance on state tests. The program, which publicly recognizes the work of teachers, principals, parents, and community members in helping to improve student learning, was modified slightly in 2003 to make it compatible with the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Only Title I schools are receiving state financial awards. These Title I funds can be used for activities and equipment to improve student performance. The School Improvement Team in each Title I school decides how the funds can best benefit students and instruction. The local monetary awards may be used for materials or other additions to promote student achievement.