News Release
Schools in
Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that six
Montgomery County Public Schools have earned awards in a new incentive program
for schools and school divisions created by the Virginia Board of Education to advance
Governor Kaine’s “competence to excellence” agenda.
The Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) program awards points to schools and
divisions based on the percentage of students achieving at the advanced level
on Standards of Learning assessments and progress made toward educational goals
advocated by Governor Kaine and adopted by the Board
as part of its comprehensive plan for further strengthening public education in
the Commonwealth.
To qualify for the Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence, the highest
honor, schools and school divisions must meet all state and federal achievement
benchmarks for at least two consecutive years and meet Governor Kaine’s goals for achievement in elementary reading;
enrollment in Algebra I by grade 8; enrollment in college-level courses;
attainment of advanced diplomas and career and industry certifications; and
participation, if eligible, in the Virginia Preschool Initiative. Schools and
school divisions also earn bonus points for other performance measures, including
the Governor’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Scorecard.
Auburn Elementary School, Gilbert Linkous
Elementary School, Harding Avenue Elementary School, and Margaret Beeks Elementary School earned the Board of
Education’s VIP Excellence Award, the second-tier honor in the VIP program.
These schools and divisions also have met all state and federal accountability
benchmarks for at least two consecutive years and have made significant
progress toward goals for increased student achievement and expanded
educational opportunity set by Governor Kaine and the
Virginia Board of Education.
Elliston Lafayette Elementary School and Price’s Fork Elementary School
earned the Board of Education’s VIP Competence to Excellence Award. This award
recognizes schools and districts that have met all state and federal benchmarks
for at least two consecutive years and are making progress toward VIP
objectives reflecting the goals of Governor Kaine and
the Virginia Board of Education.
Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Anderson said, “We’re proud of the continued
outstanding performance of the schools in
Schools and divisions earning the Board of Education’s Excellence Award and
Competence to Excellence Award will each receive a resolution of commendation
from the Board.
“The criteria for all of these awards are rigorous,” said Board of Education
President Mark E. Emblidge. “That so many schools and
school divisions qualified reflects the commitment of educators across the
Commonwealth to excellence and high standards.”
The Board of Education approved the Virginia Index of Performance in July 2007
in response to Governor Kaine’s call for a formal
system to recognize schools and school divisions that exceed minimum state and
federal accountability standards. The multi-tiered VIP program provides
incentives for improved performance and opportunities for recognition
regardless of where a school or school division happens to be on the journey
from competence to excellence.
“Minimum standards are not enough to prepare young people for the competition
that awaits them in a global economy,” said Superintendent of Public
Instruction Billy K. Cannaday Jr. “The VIP program
provides incentives for schools to challenge students to ever-higher levels of
learning and achievement.”