Language and Income NOT a Barrier....Blue Ribbon Schools in the U.S.

Once again, perception is key when battling race and economic disparities in education.  If a school system believes its ESL and EC programs will prevent it from achieving excellence under NCLB - it is an almost certainty that they will fail. 

Please look closely at the schools listed below and compare them to the demographics of the schools your children and grandchildren attend.  DO NOT believe that achievement is based upon race or ethnicity or national origin or language proficiency.  DO NOT believe that just because there are non-English speaking children in your community that your child's education will somehow be compromised. 

Demand the best from your school systems - do not accept excuses.  If these communities can do it - so can yours.  Your children are worth it...

Kendale Elementary School – Miami, FL - Kendale Elementary is located in the suburban area of Miami, Florida and is a part of the fourth largest school system in the country.  Founded in 1969, the school is situated on eight acres in a middle class, predominantly Hispanic community.  The school serves PreKindergarten through fifth grade children with an enrollment of almost 600 students.  Almost 30% of the students attending Kendale do not reside in the community, but are attending by choice. The ethnicity of those children in attendance at Kendale is: 22% White, 71% Hispanic, 4% Black, and 2% Asian. Of these students, approximately 18% are Limited English Proficient, 20% Disabled and 46% economically disadvantaged.

Centerville Elementary School – Anderson, SC- The mission of Centerville Elementary School is to prepare each student to be a responsible, respectful learner through a challenging and innovative instructional program. We have 615 students served by 59 faculty and staff members. Our student population consists of 45% free and reduced lunch students and 33% minority.

Hamilton High School – Chandler, Arizona– At Hamilton our mission is to ensure that our students will be successful in their academic, personal and professional lives. Our student body is ethnically diverse, 60% white, 22% Hispanic, 8% African-American, 7% Asian, and 2% Native American.   Approximately 15 % of the students qualify for free and reduced lunch, 8% are in special Ed and 6% are English learners. We work hard to meet the academic needs of all our students.  We offer a wide range of advanced classes, house our own alternative school on campus, and use inclusion with our special ed. students and English learners. For students who are struggling we operate our own alternative school on campus. The "Lift Lab" is opened from 7am to 7pm everyday.  Students are scheduled into the lab when they need a smaller setting or for credit recovery.  When we were recognized as a 2005 Arizona A+ school the visiting committee noted that every student they interviewed said there was something offered for them to be involved in at Hamilton. Our motto is "Dare to Dream."

http://www.blueribbonschools.com/Default.aspx?tabid=229

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http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/NewHome/pressreleases/2005/aug16.html

Limited English Proficient (LEP) students, disadvantaged students, and students with disabilities made 5-point gains in reading achievement during 2004-2005. Black students and Hispanic students each made four-point gains in reading and narrowed achievement gaps with white students. Overall student achievement in reading increased, with 81 percent of Virginia students passing tests in reading compared with 79 percent during 2003-2004.

• Black students achieved a 70 percent pass rate in reading, compared with 66 percent during the previous year.
• The reading achievement of disadvantaged students increased five points, from 64 percent to 69 percent.
• LEP students demonstrated a five-point increase in reading proficiency by achieving a 70 percent pass rate in 2004-2005, compared with 65 percent during the previous year.
• Hispanic reading achievement increased four points, from 69 percent in 2003-2004 to 73 percent in 2004-2005.
• White students achieved an 87 percent pass rate in reading, a two-point increase from 85 percent during 2003-2004.
• Students with disabilities achieved a 56 percent pass rate, compared with 51 percent in 2003-2004.