The Virginia Department of Education is honoring Green Run, Rosemont, and W.T. Cooke elementary schools as “Title I Distinguished Schools” for raising the academic achievement of economically disadvantaged students while exceeding federal objectives and state accreditation standards. In order to qualify for the honor, each school had to meet federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) benchmarks in reading and math for two consecutive years, be fully accredited by the state, and have mean test scores in the 60th percentile or higher for English and mathematics.

Title I provides federal assistance to schools with a large student population eligible for free or reduced price meals. The money is used to provide additional education services to students who are most at risk of failing to meet State academic standards.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Green Run Elementary has been named a Title I Distinguished School.  Principal Ron Sykes credits a dedicated team of educators who use local assessment data to identify areas where targeted instruction is needed. “We consistently monitor progress and look for opportunities to focus on individual student needs,” says Sykes.

Rosemont Elementary principal Dr. Miriam Freeman is elated that her school has been honored for the second year in a row. She points out that all students at Rosemont Elementary are held to a high academic standard. “We expect each student to achieve and provide all students with the tools and support necessary to do so,” Freeman comments.

Principal Barbara Sessoms also highlights focused instructional strategies as one factor in W.T. Cooke Elementary’s success. “Our Title I and classroom teachers work in tandem to ensure that no child falls behind,” Sessoms adds. “Obviously, we are making great strides.”

Fifteen Virginia Beach elementary schools receive Title I funding. The federal dollars help pay for instructional support personnel, parent education training, and programs such as the Virginia Beach Schools’ Reading Bus.

For more information about Virginia Beach Schools’ Title I resources, contact Janet Smallwood in the department of curriculum and instruction by calling 263.1188.

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