Beachwood, Tillicum and Oakwood Elementary Schools were named 2013 Schools of Distinction from The Center for Educational Effectiveness, Association of Educational Service Districts, Association of Washington School Principals, Phi Delta Kappa-Washington Chapter, Washington Association of School Administrators, Washington State Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development and Washington State School Directors’ Association.
The annual award recognizes schools that have made large improvements in student achievement. The award is given to the top 5 percent of schools in the state that have made sustained improvement in reading and math over five years. To earn School of Distinction status, elementary school students in grades 3-5 must meet the minimum threshold “Reading/Math Level Index” of being at or above the state median on state assessments. In the Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) region, 46 schools in 21 school districts achieved this high standard. In total, 99 elementary, middle and high schools across the state were recognized. This is the 7th annual School of Distinction award recognition in Washington state.
“I am very proud of the staff and students at Beachwood, Tillicum and Oakwood,” said Clover Park School District Superintendent Debbie LeBeau. “The district has purchased intervention materials to help students struggling in reading and math. By using data to identify students who need extra support, those students are getting the assistance they need and test scores are improving.”
This is Beachwood’s third consecutive School of Distinction award and Oakwood’s second consecutive award.
A special reception and awards ceremony to recognize the 2013 Schools of Distinction will be held Tuesday, Nov. 12, at PSESD in Renton.
For more information, including award methodology, visit www.effectiveness.org.