Despite the poor economy and budget cutbacks, both local school systems have continued to make strides on standardized tests. The result: a city school and two county schools earned achievement awards from the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement for their progress during the 2009-2010 school year.

Calhoun Elementary School and Fairmount Elementary School each earned a platinum award, the highest honor among the 2010 Single Statewide Accountability System (SSAS) awards - these distinctions are distributed by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement.

Schools being considered had to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for three consecutive years, have more than 35 percent of students exceed standards on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCTs) and rank at least in the 98th percentile or higher statewide in student gains (based on CRCT scores).

“Students, parents, teachers and administrators are all focused on exceeding academic standards at every level, and the recognition from the Governor’s Office is appreciated,” said City Schools Superintendent Michele Taylor. “We are proud of their commitment to excellence.”

County Superintendent Bill McCown echoed the same sentiment for Fairmount.

“We are ‘Team Gordon.’ The students, faculty, administration and community all played a vital role in the success of Fairmount Elementary School,” McCown said.

Calhoun and Fairmount were among 27 elementary schools that received this award for strides made during the 2009-2010 school year. The Governor’s Office of Student Achievement recognized only 345 Georgia public schools during the 2009-2010 school year for improvement and achievement, officials stated.

“Winning an award like this makes the staff and students at our school feel affirmed for all their hard work that helped us to achieve this success,” said principal Wesley Roach of Calhoun Elementary School.

“Fairmount Elementary School has always been a great school. This award is evidence of the hard work and dedication of our staff and students as well as the rigor of the instruction at Fairmount,” said principal Kimm Smith of Fairmount Elementary School.

Sonoraville High School earns the Silver Award

The Governor’s Office of Student Achievement also awarded Sonoraville High School with the Silver Award for Academic Achievement for the 2009-2010 school year.

Sonoraville was one of only 22 high schools across the state to receive the Silver Award, said McCown.

“This is validation that our students and teachers are working hard each and every day to carry out our vision to become a learning community actively pursuing a higher standard of excellence,” said principal Bruce Potts.

“The Silver Award is a reflection of our community of learners. Parents, students and solid instruction from all teachers is a formula for greatness and our parents can be proud that we are raising the bar for all students at Sonoraville High School.”

This was the second time Sonoraville has received student achievement recognition from the Governor’s Office. The school earned the Platinum Award for the 2007-2008 school year.

About the SSAS Awards

According to the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement:

“The schools are awarded on four levels – platinum, gold, silver and bronze – from highest ranking to lowest.”

Greatest Gains: Schools that receive the award must show the greatest improvement in schools on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) of the Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT) for the most recent two years span of time.

Both the CRCT and the GHSGT classify achievement in terms of the percent of students who a) do not meet standards, b) meet standards, and c) exceed standards.