LEWISTON— The Idaho State Board of Education today recognized 7 different schools as recipients of the "Distinguished School" award. The Board awarded certificates to the schools who met the following requirements:
Based on those criteria, the following schools have been recognized as Distinguished Schools for 2007:
The Board also acknowledged 6 Idaho schools who achieved Additional Yearly Growth. Additional Yearly Growth schools must also meet AYP for 2 consecutive years and also show at least at 10% improvement in one of the individual ISAT measurement categories. Those schools are:
"These schools represent the best of the best," said Board President Milford Terrell. "We are very proud of what these schools have done. They are leaders and it shows. It’s not just about achievement, these school are showing growth and that should be recognized and celebrated."
The Board also received an update on the GEAR UP program. President Terrell made it very clear that he has set a "drop dead" date of October 31, 2007 for the commitment of necessary funds. During the meeting, nearly $175,000 dollars were committed to the program by Boise State University and the University of Idaho.
The Board approved a temporary rule that puts the science portion of the ISAT as part of the graduation requirement starting with the graduating class of 2012. The rule exempts any student who graduates before 2012 from the science graduation requirement.
Dean Don Burnett from the University of the Idaho College of Law gave the Board an update on the strategic plan for the law school.
Board President Milford Terrell also summarized a letter he will send to Governor Otter. The letter updates the Governor and his financial staff on progress the Board and Board staff have made in regards to rectifying differences with its assessment contract and the GEAR UP program.
"I want everyone to know that we are in total compliance, fiscally and statutorily with everything the Governor asked of us. We’re on board," said President Terrell. The Board has come to an agreement with Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) modifying several components of the contract, thus bringing the projected expenditures into balance in fiscal years 2008, 2009 and 2010.
For more information about the Idaho State Board of Education, please visit www.boardofed.idaho.gov.
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