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DPI recognizes Parkview

School awarded for closing achievement gaps

By Scott Bellile


Parkview Elementary School was again named a Title I School of Recognition by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Parkview will be among 135 state schools recognized with plaques at an awards ceremony on Monday, May 21 at the state capitol in Madison. The schools all receive federal Title I funding to provide services to high numbers or high percentages of students from economically disadvantaged families.

“The state’s Title I Schools of Recognition awards recognize the efforts of students, their families, teachers, school administrators, and school staff members to break the link between poverty and low academic achievement,” State Superintendent Tony Evers stated in a news release. “Their success is something to celebrate.”

Parkview Elementary School’s Math Morning program in which parents visit classrooms and work on math with their children is one program Principal Jody Peterson credits with closing achievement gaps in math performance. Photo courtesy of Jody Peterson

Parkview is among 16 schools statewide to receive two Title I awards this year. The school was named a High-Achieving School and a High-Progress School.

To earn High-Achieving School distinction, Parkview had to either close achievement gaps to less than three points between student subgroups or show evidence of reducing gaps. Parkview also had to demonstrate high achievement at the school level.

To earn the High-Progress School distinction, Parkview had to fall within the top 10 percent of schools experiencing growth in reading and mathematics for elementary and middle school students, in addition to meeting the aforementioned achievement gaps criteria.

“Being named a Title I School of Recognition not only recognizes the work of students, their parents, teachers, school administrators, and all other staff members, but also is an indicator of the strength of the programs throughout the school district,” School District of New London Superintendent Dennis Krueger said in an email. “This type of award speaks to the fact that [all] children can succeed and we are working hard to ensure that every student experiences success throughout their individual journey within the School District of New London.”

Parkview also had to meet the Wisconsin’s test-participation, attendance and dropout goals in order to qualify.

Last year Parkview received one Title I award, the High-Progress School distinction under the leadership of then-Principal Joe Green.

Teachers continue to see their students’ achievement gaps close as current Principal Jody Peterson remains focused on sustaining those practices.

“Due to the solid instructional practices employed by the district and the dedicated staff and students, Parkview is promoting the district’s mission of ‘Success for all Students,’” Peterson stated in an email. “Commitment by the staff, district, and community to different programs like Reading and Writing Workshop and Math Expressions, helped to address individual student needs, which lead to further student success at all levels.”

About 40 percent of Parkview’s student population is considered economically disadvantaged.

In other award news, Parkview staff submitted an application in late March for the national Blue Ribbon School Award. Peterson said she expects to hear from the U.S. Department of Education in August or September whether Parkview landed the award.

The Blue Ribbon Award recognizes U.S. schools for significant strides in closing achievement gaps or academic excellence. Eight schools were nominated by the state’s DPI this year to apply for the award.

To learn more about Parkview’s Blue Ribbon School Award nomination, including insight on how the school closed achievement gaps in recent years, read “Parkview nominated for national award.”

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