Elementary schools earn academic distinction

Posted 6/27/19

For consistently getting students to grade-level comprehension and beyond, three Wood County elementary schools were recently named to a prestigious honor roll.

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Elementary schools earn academic distinction

Posted

By ZAK WELLERMAN

news@woodcountymonitor.com

For consistently getting students to grade-level comprehension and beyond, three Wood County elementary schools were recently named to a prestigious honor roll.

Quitman, Yantis and Hawkins Elementary schools were listed on the Educational Results Partnership (ERP) 2018-19 Texas Honor Roll.

The distinction goes to schools that show high levels of student academic achievement, improvement in achievement levels over time and reduction in achievement gaps among student populations.

ERP is a non-profit organization that utilizes data to help schools improve student outcomes and better career readiness. The group also charts pathways for greater academic success and living-wage jobs, according to its website.

Quitman ISD Superintendent Rhonda Turner expressed her pride in QES being named to the honor roll as well as the other local schools.

“Quitman ISD is proud of the ongoing exemplary performance of our elementary campus. Quitman Elementary continues to perform at a high level of achievement year after year,” Turner said. “It is also worth noting that three elementary schools from Wood County are on the list and that is something for the residents of Wood County to be very proud of.”

Yantis ISD Superintendent and Elementary Principal Tracey Helfferich called being a part of the list a great honor.

“I would like to commend our teachers for their hard work and for paving the way for a better future for our students, closing achievement gaps and improving the overall performance for our students. I am very proud of our teachers, students and parents for working together to create a positive learning experience in order to help our students be successful,” Helfferich said. “The fact that our elementary school is receiving this recognition is a credit to the entire school community.”

Hawkins ISD Superintendent Morris Lyon shared his appreciation of having a school environment where students can learn and grow together.

“I am so proud of our students and staff for their hard work and commitment. We are blessed to have such an amazing school where the culture of teamwork, effort and caring for one another is exhibited everyday with both our students and staff. HES has shown so much student growth in the last couple of years and we are honored HES is getting recognitions from the ERP Honor Roll to a TEA Blue Ribbon nomination. It is a blessing to have a child attend HES and to be a part of such a great district.”

In January, Hawkins Elementary was also honored with a Texas Education Agency Blue Ribbon School nomination for its exemplary work in closing achievement gaps among specific populations of students. An announcement on national blue ribbon winners will be made in September.

Some success factors ERP has found in schools named to the honor roll include evidence-based instructional practices, a defined system-wide mission of college and career readiness for all students, investment in human capital, maintenance of data and assessment systems to monitor school and student performance, and resources and guidance to support schools’ efforts in preparing all students for college and career.