WILMINGTON – Today, Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn and Department of Education Secretary Mark Murphy announced the 2013 winners of the state’s Reward and Recognition School Awards, known informally as the state’s Academic Achievement Awards.  The announcements were made today in three separate press conferences, one in each county to honor the winners.

These awards, which carry a $50,000 prize for each school, were created by legislation spearheaded by the Lt. Governor and passed by the Delaware General Assembly in 2009.  The awards are given (a) to schools whose students are performing at an exceptionally high level, particularly those schools with large percentages of students coming from low-income households, and (b) to schools that have succeeded in closing the achievement gap for students such as low-income students, students from minority groups, and students with disabilities.  Winners were selected based on 2012-13 data.

This year, there are 2 Reward and 15 Recognition schools that will receive $50,000 each.  Funding for the awards comes from the state’s Race to the Top grant.  Additionally, there are 12 Schools of Continued Excellence which won Academic Achievement Awards last year and had outstanding performance again this year, but are not eligible for a financial award again until 2014.  The RTTT grant provides funding through 2014.

Lt. Governor Denn and Secretary Murphy were joined by the 29 principals and 13 superintendents of the winning schools, along with students, parents, teachers, administrators, and representatives from the State Board of Education and DSEA. The winning schools have much discretion in deciding how to spend the money. As in years past, each school will appoint a committee (with administration, teacher, support staff and parent representation) to determine how the award will be used.

““I am thrilled to be able to honor these schools with an award that will help them expand services for our students.  As in past years, I will be trying to visit as many of these schools in person as I can, so we can learn from schools whose kids are succeeding – often in spite of serious challenges,” Denn said.

Murphy also recognized dedication and hard work of the entire school communities — the educators, students, parents and community partners — whose collaboration helped the schools succeed.

“We must take what is working well in these schools and share those lessons with school communities throughout our state,” he said.

The 2013 winners are: 

Reward Schools

Title I schools (federal classification based on high percentage of low income population) identified for being either highest performing or high progress.

• Elbert-Palmer Elementary School, Christina School District
• Sussex Academy, Georgetown 

Recognition Schools

These are chosen for exceptional performance and/or closing the achievement gap. Both Title I and non-Title I schools can qualify. Two of the schools are also Title I Distinguished school awardees. They were Title I schools that met the criteria for Recognition School that had not been Title I Distinguished school awardees in past two years.

• Charter School of Wilmington, Red Clay School District
• Carrie Downie Elementary School, Colonial School District
• East Millsboro Elementary School, Indian River School District
• Georgetown Elementary School, Indian River School District
• Georgetown Middle School, Indian River School District
• Hanby Elementary School, Brandywine School District
• Lake Forest East Elementary School, Lake Forest School District
• Lake Forest North Elementary School, Lake Forest School District (also a Title I Distinguished school awardee)
• Lake Forest South Elementary School, Lake Forest School District
• Long Neck Elementary School, Indian River School District
• Middletown High School, Appoquinimink School District
• North Dover Elementary School, Capital School District
• W. B. Simpson Elementary School, Caesar Rodney School District
• St. Georges Technical High School, New Castle County Vocational Technical School District

• R. Elisabeth Maclary Elementary School, Christina School District(also a Title I Distinguished school awardee) 

Schools of Continued Excellence

Schools which have received state awards during 2012 and continue to qualify for Reward or Recognition School distinction in 2013 are named Schools of Continued Excellence to recognize their sustained accomplishments. They will be eligible for funds again next year if they meet the Reward or Recognition School qualifications.

• Beacon Middle School, Cape Henlopen School District
• John M. Clayton Elementary School, Indian River School District
• William B. Keene Elementary School, Christina School District
• Kuumba Academy Charter School
• Lord Baltimore Elementary School, Indian River School District
• Evelyn I. Morris Early Childhood Center, Milford School District
• Newark Charter School
• Rehoboth Elementary School, Cape Henlopen School District
• Richard A. Shields Elementary School, Cape Henlopen School District
• Phillip C. Showell Elementary School, Indian River School District
• Nellie Hughes Stokes Elementary School, Caesar Rodney School District
• Sunnyside Elementary School, Smyrna School District 

More Information 

In May of 2012, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan approved Delaware’s plan for school accountability and support, granting the state flexibility from certain requirements of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Under Delaware’s plan, schools work toward ambitious but realistic goals with the help of differentiated support from the state and their districts. 

The state’s school classification system recognizes those schools that are excelling as well as provides more support to those that need it. Award categories are named annually: Reward Schools, Recognition Schools including the two Distinguished Title I Schools awardees, and Schools of Continued Excellence. 

Reward Schools 

Under Delaware’s approved ESEA Flexibility, there is a provision to recognize two “Reward Schools” – one for “highest performing school” and one for “high progress school.” Reward Schools are Title I schools (based on poverty level). 

The “highest performing school,” made adequate yearly progress based on the latest assessment results. It was among the top 10 percent of schools for the performance of all students and each subgroup on the combined English language arts and math percent proficient on the latest assessment, and it was among the top 25 percent of schools for all students and each subgroup on the combined ELA and math percent proficient on the past two years’ assessments. 

The “high progress school,” showed significant annual growth for all students on the combined ELA and math percent proficient from the latest assessment and, in addition, reduced the gap for each subgroup. 

Each Reward school receives a $50,000 award. 

Recognition Schools (including the Distinguished Title I school awardees) 

Up to 15 schools are recognized each year for achieving and sustaining significant student academic gains. These schools are selected in a way that aligns with the Title I Distinguished school criteria with the categories of “exceptional performance” and “closing the gap.” Unlike Reward schools, Recognition schools can be either Title or non-Title I schools. 

“Exceptional student performance” schools met the annual measurable objectives based on the most recent two year assessment results. These schools are the highest ranked schools when scored using combined ELA and math percent proficient for all students and at-risk groups (combined African American, Hispanic, Students with Disabilities, English language learners and Free/Reduced Lunch) using the latest assessment results. 

“Closing the achievement gap” schools met the annual measurable objectives based on the most recent two year assessments. These schools have maintained or improved in the most recent assessment compared to the prior year’s assessments for ELA and Math percent proficient for all students and have improved in the most recent assessment compared to the prior year’s assessments for ELA and Math percent proficient for at-risk groups (combined African American, Hispanic, Students with Disabilities, English language learners and Free/Reduced Lunch). These schools are the highest ranked when scored using the difference in the achievement gap between the at-risk group and the all students group in most recent assessment as compared to the prior year’s assessments in ELA and Math. 

Distinguished Title I Schools criteria 

The National Title I Association has been selecting examples of superior Title I school programs for national recognition through the National Title I Distinguished Schools program since 1996.

The highest ranked Title I school from the “exceptional student performance” schools that has not been named a Distinguished Title I School in the previous year will be named a Distinguished Title I School.

The highest ranked Title I school from the “closing the achievement” schools that has not been named a Distinguished Title I School in the previous year will be named a Distinguished Title I School. 

Each Recognition school receives a $50,000 award. 

Schools of Continued Excellence 

Schools which have received state awards during 2012 and continue to qualify for Reward or Recognition School distinction in 2013 are named Schools of Continued Excellence to recognize their sustained accomplishments. There is no monetary award. 

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