Photo by Rebecca Van Dyke Brian Crowther, principal of La Jara Elementary presents the Commissioner’s Cup to students and staff at an impromptu assembly.

Three schools

recognized



By REBECCA VAN DYKE

LA JARA — “We know success for every student begins with commitment from the entire school community, as solid as a promise, to bring every student to proficiency. It takes teamwork, retraining in some cases, and a relentless focus on the needs of the students. It is our assurance from the department of education that school districts will feel every ounce of support and leadership we can provide,” said Dwight Jones, commissioner of the Colorado Department of Education.

According to the Colorado Legacy Foundation of the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), a study completed by the Colorado Children’s Campaign in 2005 found almost 400,000 students were below proficient on CSAP testing.

La Jara Elementary, Manassa Elementary, and Monte Vista High School were 3 of 39 schools recognized statewide for closing the achievement gap between students under the poverty line, minority students, male students and their more affluent peers in an inaugural celebration held at the Denver Performing Arts Center on September 17.

CDE monitors over a thousand schools.

Schools were prescribed ten best practices of successful schools by the CDE as a guideline to close the gap:

• Culture of high expectations and accountability for all students

• Targeted assessment and intensive use of data to guide instruction

• Individualized support for teaching students

• Active engagement of teachers in school leadership and decision-making

• Substantial time for collaborative planning and options for professional development

• Commitment to core academics and standards but not at the expense of other important learning in the arts and humanities

• Stable and consistent leadership

• Small learning communities

• Flexibility to use resources to support student needs and reinforce school culture

• Economically integrated student bodies

La Jara Elementary averaged high scores on CSAP testing last year, and in return, received the Commissioner’s Cup for their achievement.

Principal Brian Crowther called an assembly yesterday morning to announce to students and teachers their success as a school.

Teachers will have the cup on display in their classroom for a week at a time. At the end of the week, the class will be rewarded with an ice cream party.

La Jara Elementary has spent their time repeatedly telling their students how intelligent and successful they are along with implementing the 10 best practices in their classrooms on the idea that if the students hear it long enough, they’ll believe it and become those things.

“The achievement gap was a problem statewide. Our teachers are taking responsibility for every child, and I see that in our classrooms,” Crowther said.