CONTACT:
Lauren Stephens
[email protected]
202-293-1217 x.373
Calcedeaver Elementary School is one of just four schools nationwide to be honored this year by The Education Trust for success in educating low-income and minority students to high levels
WASHINGTON (October 31, 2011) — Today, Calcedeaver Elementary School was named one of four winners of the Dispelling the Myth Award, presented by The Education Trust. The annual award, now in its ninth year, is presented to public schools throughout the country that are closing the achievement gap between student groups and educating all of their students to high levels.
This year’s Dispelling the Myth Award winners demonstrate that schools of all kinds, and in all sorts of settings, can thrive when they are organized for success. The educators working in these schools produce strong results for all students because they teach them all to high levels, despite challenging circumstances outside of the school’s walls. They don’t ignore these circumstances; they overcome them.
Calcedeaver has consistently produced among the highest reading and math proficiency rates in the state. In 2011, 94 percent of sixth-graders met state reading standards. Indeed, 80 percent of them exceeded standards.
“Dispelling the Myth Schools show that, while this work is not easy, closing gaps and boosting achievement is within our power,” said Kati Haycock, president of The Education Trust. “The educators in these schools know that what they do can literally change the life trajectory of their students. Their unyielding commitment to working hard and smart pays off for the students they teach.”
These schools are an important reminder that, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, all students can shine academically. Dispelling the Myth schools share a few traits:
· A laser focus on strong instruction;
· A thoughtful approach to using data to inform intervention strategies for students and staff; and
· A devotion to broad, rich and rigorous curricula; and intervention programs, as needed.
This year’s winners will be recognized on Thursday, Nov. 3 in Washington, during a special event at The Education Trust’s 22nd annual national conference. Guided by the theme, “Leave Nothing to Chance: Closing Gaps and Raising Achievement,” the conference will gather dynamic educators, experts and policymakers to discuss successful strategies for increasing educational opportunity and achievement for all students.
For more information about the Dispelling the Myth Award and The Education Trust, please visit www.edtrust.org.
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ABOUT CALCEDEAVER
Calcedeaver Elementary School
Mount Vernon, Ala.
Years ago, the principal of the then-low-performing Calcedeaver Elementary School found that only a handful of the school’s alumni had gone on to graduate from high school in the previous decade. School failure was too often the expectation of the area’s low-income community, which largely identifies as MOWA (Mobile and Washington County) Choctaw. Residents trace their ancestry to American Indians who, rather than join the “Trail of Tears” in the 1830s, agreed to stop speaking their language in public.
The principal and her staff began changing the school’s dismal statistics. They improved reading and math instruction, used data to identify students who needed extra help and launched a cultural education program to teach the Choctaw language and culture — all in a motley collection of buildings that range from a neat brick building to a decrepit portable trailer.
“Despite our conditions,” says Principal Susan Jill Dickinson, “we are truly dedicated to top-notch instruction and providing our children a loving and stimulating learning environment.”
And these days, nearly all Calcedeaver alumni earn a high school diploma.
