Valerie PreK-8 wins award for exceptional progress
11/23/2011
November 22, 2011
Contact: Jill Moberley, Public Information Officer
For Immediate Release
Valerie PreK-8 School was named a High Progress School by Battelle for Kids during a Columbus ceremony on Nov. 14. Schools awarded for high progress are among the top 10 out of 684 participating SOAR (a comprehensive school improvement collaborative) schools making exceptional growth with their students. Grades 4-8 math and reading data are included in this analysis.
“Our success at Valerie PreK-8 School is due to the efforts of our staff, students and parents; our effective use of data; and the support of our school community,” Valerie Principal Wyetta Hayden said. “We affirm our students on a daily basis, constantly reminding them of our expectations – and they hold high expectations for themselves.”
To be considered for the award, schools had to meet at least six indicators on the state report card and rank among the top five schools for showing above-average growth in the most recent school year.
Hayden attended the ceremony with members of her staff and DPS administrators to receive the award. Valerie also achieved the rating of Excellent on the 2011 state report card.
Battelle for Kids presented 22 Ohio schools and eight Ohio school districts with a 2011 SOAR Award in one or more of the following categories: High Progress Schools and High Schools, School-Wide Subject-Area, Significant Progress Districts, and Most Improved Districts. The annual awards acknowledge Ohio schools and districts participating in SOAR, Battelle for Kids’ school improvement collaborative, for their academic progress in multiple grade levels and subjects over the last school year (2010–2011).
Superintendent of Public Instruction Stan Heffner presented each school and district with their respective award. Battelle Memorial Institute Senior Vice President of Human Resources Tom Snowberger also attended the ceremony and offered congratulatory remarks.
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About SOAR
In 2002, Battelle for Kids launched SOAR—a statewide pilot to introduce value-added analysis to participating Ohio school districts and demonstrate how information can improve teacher and schools’ impact on student learning. Over the past nine years, as the demands for higher expectations and results have increased, SOAR expanded its scope of services to become a comprehensive school improvement collaborative. Today, SOAR represents nearly 121 Ohio school districts, approximately 30 percent of the state's students in grades 3–8. SOAR is one of the country’s largest value-added initiatives and is a centerpiece of successful education reform on behalf of students.
About Battelle for Kids
Battelle for Kids is a national, not-for-profit organization that provides strategic counsel and innovative solutions for today’s complex educational-improvement challenges. Our mission-driven team of education, technology, communications and business professionals specializes in creating strategies that advance the development of human capital, the use of strategic measures, the implementation of effective practices, and communication with all stakeholders in schools. For more information, visit www.BattelleforKids.org.