Reprinted from front page article in “The News Progress” on May 14, 2008, by Keith Corum
Five elementary schools in Mecklenburg County have been singled out as Title I Distinguished Schools by the Virginia Board of Education (VBE). The high honor is achieved by maintaining full state accreditation under Virginia’s Standards of Learning 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.
Boydton, Buckhorn, Clarksville, LaCrosse, and South Hill elementary schools have achieved Title I Distinction based on student achievement on state assessments during the 2006-2007 and the previous school year. In all, 13 public school divisions and 118 schools across the state were recognized by the VBE for raising the academic achievement of economically disadvantaged students, a key objective for Title I Distinguished School Recognition.
“These awards show that all children – regardless of family income – can learn and achieve,” said Virginia’s Board of Education President Mark E. Emblidge.” “ With all this success it is easy to forget that there once was once widespread belief that children from economically disadvantaged communities should not be expected to meet high standards.”
Superintendent of Public Instruction for Virginia Schools, Billy K. Cannaday Jr. acknowledged the teachers who continually make a difference in Mecklenburg County and else where in the state.
Educators in these schools overcome challenges everyday as they prepare children for brighter futures. They focus on each child and are not daunted by higher annual benchmarks”, said Cannaday.
Each school here achieving Title I Distinguished status will receive a certificate celebrating the high honor and lofty achievement from the VBE.
Click here to read the press release from the Virginia Department of Education.
