Woodland Schools Receive Two “School of Distinction” Awards

Vancouver, WA-October 23, 2008-Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson designated two Woodland Public Schools as "Schools of Distinction" on October 22.

Woodland Intermediate School and TEAM alternative High School were two of 98 schools to receive the award. "Students, teachers and schools continue to make incredible progress," Bergson said. "This award celebrates the real gains these schools have made, gains that aren't recognized by the Federal No Child Left Behind Act or its ‘Adequate Yearly Progress' calculations."

This is the second year in a row that Woodland Intermediate School has received the honor. "Our faculty and staff tirelessly dedicate themselves to the continuous improvement of learning in our schools," said Michael Green, Superintendent of Woodland Public Schools. "I'm pleased to have OSPI recognize the incredible work and performance of students and teachers in Woodland Public Schools - I am extremely proud of all our schools."

To be considered for the award, a school has to exceed the state average performance in reading and math as measured by the Spring 2008 Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL). The past six years of WASL performance is evaluated to confirm year-over-year improvement. The top 5 percent of schools statewide are designated Schools of Distinction.

Schools of Distinction share common strategies for increasing student success: teachers continuously study to establish best teaching practices, the staff is committed to building strong families by being committed to the success of every single student and the community actively supports the school.

Bergeson presented the awards at Garfield High School in Seattle. ESD 112 hosted a simultaneous local award ceremony for winning school leaders and staff who were unable to travel to the main ceremony. School leaders from each of the winning schools were presented with a plaque and a large banner reading "School of Distinction - 2008 State Superintendent's Learning Improvement Award."