Garfield School receives national recognition
October 20, 2009 3:52 PM
Garfield Elementary School has been named a 2009 National Title 1 Distinguished School based on its success in closing the academic achievement gap between student groups.
Two schools in every state are chosen as examples of superior Title I programs in one of two categories: a school that has exceeded its adequate yearly progress for two or more years, or a school that has significantly closed the achievement gap between student groups. Garfield was chosen to represent Oregon in the latter category.
The school was notified of the award at a "surprise" staff meeting on Friday, Oct. 16. The honor comes with a $5,000 cash award to help support the school's continued work in closing achievement gaps. Three of the Garfield staff also will travel to Washington, D.C. in January to accept the award at the National Title 1 Conference.
Schools chosen for this award must have a poverty rate among students of at least 35 percent for the selected year. They also must have demonstrated high academic achievement for two or more consecutive years and met or exceeded state standards for making adequate yearly progress (AYP) for two or more consecutive years.
Garfield is one of two schools in the district that offer a Dual Language Immersion program and it is an English as a Second Language magnet school. Of the 376 students that attended Garfield in 2008-09, 62 percent were eligible for the federal Free and Reduced Price Meal Program.
Over the past two school years, the increase in the percentage of Garfield students meeting achievement goals in reading and math has generally been two to four times higher than required AYP growth targets. This has been true of the overall student population, as well as for most subgroups including the economically disadvantaged, students with limited English proficiency, students with disabilities and those of Hispanic origin.
Superintendent Dawn Tarzian described the honor as "exciting news." She said, "I couldn't be happier about this recognition for a very dedicated and hard-working staff. For the last several years, they have challenged themselves to develop the skills and curriculum needed to support and challenge each and every student at Garfield. They are an inspiration to all of us who work to make a difference for children."
Garfield Elementary also has been accepted into the International Spanish Academies Program by the Kingdom of Spain's Ministry of Education. This program, which emphasizes the value of a multicultural education, includes some of the nation's oldest and best Dual Language Immersion schools.
