FOR RELEASE Contact: Melinda Kitchell Malico (202) 401-1576
May 5, 1998
RILEY RECOGNIZES 109 SCHOOLS WITH OUTSTANDING TITLE I PROGRAMS
U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley today cited 109 elementary and secondary schools with outstanding Title I programs. In almost all school districts in the country, Title I serves students who live in low-income areas and is designed to help them master the basics and more challenging subject matter.
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education Gerald Tirozzi will make the awards May 5 during the annual meeting of the International Reading Association in Orlando, Fla.
The department presents the awards in partnership with the National Association of State Title I Directors. Now in its 14th year, the Title I Recognition Program this year focused on schools that use schoolwide programs to ensure that all students have access to effective instructional strategies and challenging academic content.
"These schools are using innovative and effective strategies to help children master the basics and meet high academic standards," Riley said. "By improving teachers' skills and knowledge through continuous professional development, upgrading curriculum toward higher standards, and forming partnerships with communities -- they demonstrate how Title I schools can be among the best in the nation."
This year's winning projects were recognized for meeting the following criteria:
As part of the selection process, state education agencies nominated successful projects, and an independent panel evaluated their effectiveness in raising student achievement levels. Test scores, grade promotions and courses completed, student self-assessment, teacher and parent ratings, as well as discipline and attendance, were reviewed to measure gains.
Title I, formerly known as Chapter 1, was totally overhauled under the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994. The program provides funds to schools in high poverty areas to improve teaching and learning for children who are at risk of falling behind.
Riley said that under the new law, schools receiving Title I funds are now raising academic standards as well as expectations for student success, improving curriculum and teaching, and increasing parent involvement in all aspects of school improvement. Keeping schools open beyond regular hours to provide extra tutoring is strongly encouraged, and schools are to reduce the amount of time children are "pulled out" of their regular classrooms.
Thirty-nine states and Puerto Rico participated in selecting this year's winners. Each recognized school will receive a certificate of merit signed by Riley and a Distinguished School Banner. A sourcebook describing the winning projects will be published later this year.
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