KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Woodward School for Technology and Research has announced that it will be honored Thursday for improving its student achievement on Thursday, Jan. 9.
Lisa Francisco, a partnership agreement liaison from the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), will present Woodward principal Frank Rocco with the honorary certificate.
This certificate is for being nominated for the 2019 National ESEA Distinguished School Program. The MDE nominated Woodward for the award. Although the school ultimately did not win against other nominees, Kalamazoo Public Schools and the Woodward staff and administration will still receive the honor.
According to the school, the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA) has recognized superior, federally funded school programs through the National ESEA Distinguished Schools program since 1996.
“These schools demonstrate a wide array of strengths, including team approaches to teaching and learning, focused professional development opportunities for staff, individualized programs for student success and strong partnerships between the school, parents, and the community,” the website reads.
Woodward was originally nominated for its improved student performance and academic growth over two or more consecutive years. Woodward says that it has increased in its NWEA Measures of Academic Progress growth assessment math and reading tests scores over the past three years.
Other factors, such as the percentage of students making at least one year of growth from fall to spring, contributed to the nomination.
“The implementation of these strategies, as well as the hard work of the staff and students at Woodward, has resulted in substantial academic growth over the course of the last few years as well as removal from the state’s priority school list. The school community is extremely proud of the hard work accomplished at Woodward and we are honored to be nominated by the State of Michigan Department of Education as a Title I Distinguished School,” the district said in its application.
The ceremony will take place at 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, in the school library.
Woodward School is located 606 Stuart Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.
