Pike County Elementary Schools Recognized for the 4th Consecutive Year  

for High ISTEP+ Scores by the Indiana Student Achievement Institute (INSAI)

February 1, 2008

L to R: Petersburg, Winslow and Otwell Elementary School Representatives Receive INSAI Achievement Awards

(Indianapolis, IN)   All three Pike County elementary schools - Otwell, Winslow and Petersburg - each took "Top-Gainer" awards at the 2008 Indiana Student Achievement Institute Student Learning Conference held at the Adams Mark Hotel in Indianapolis yesterday.  Pike County School officials received their award on behalf of students, faculty and the Pike County community.  "We are so happy about the progress our schools are making," said Steve Meadors, principal at Petersburg Elementary.  "I know our faculty and staff work extremely hard during the school year to prepare all students to reach their potential on the annual ISTEP+ exams.  It is very gratifying to see the efforts of our staff and student body pay off in this kind of recognition.  We are all quite proud of our accomplishments at PES!"  This was the third time PES received a Top Gainer award from INSAI.  "We never get tired of this kind of celebration! " said Meadors.

Winslow Elementary principal Ritch Luker agrees!  He, too is excited about his school receiving statewide recognition for academic excellence.  "Members of our current and past INSAI organizing committees have done an outstanding job of leading our faculty and staff through the INSAI planning process.  It isn't easy, but we have had several teachers step up to fill much-needed leadership roles.  It is nice to know we are raising our ISTEP scores, but, we also have enjoyed much success in other areas, such as teacher training and increasing community involvement."

Otwell Elementary also received an award at this year's conference.  Mr. Rick Fears, Otwell principal, stated, "We have won several awards in the past for academics, so receiving another award is not new.  But, it is always a thrill to be recognized in front of your peers, just like we were last year when our students won their first state championship in the area Science Bowl competition.  I'm excited for our staff, our teachers and our parents!  It's great to learn our efforts to improve have been successful!"  This year's award was Otwell's fourth consecutive Top-Gainer selection by INSAI.

Over 1,000 teachers, educators and administrators from throughout Indiana attended this year's INSAI Conference on Learning.  Indiana State School Superintendent Dr. Sue Ellen Reed and noted educator Dr. Willard Daggert of the International Center for Excellence in Education gave keynote presentations.  Pike Central High School faculty presented a session entitled Freshman Academy in a Small High School to an enthusiastic crowd.

Explanation of 2008 INSAI Top Gainer Award

Top Gainer Award Criteria:  The INSAI Top Gainer Award is based on improvement in the percentage of passing Math and English ISTEP tests for non-mobile students (enrolled in 126 days) including students who have moved to other schools.  (For a middle school with Grades 6, 7, and 8, for example, the test scores from Grades 7, 8 and 9 were used in the Top Gainer Award calculation).  This is similar to the manner in which the Indiana Department of Education calculates the PL 221 Category Placements.  The benchmark for the INSAI Top Gainer Award varies with school's performance levels.  The performance score listed for each school reflects the number of passing ISTEP+ tests in 2006.  The improvement score reflects the gain or loss in the percent of passing ISTEP tests from 2004-2005 averaged with the gain or loss from 2005-2006.  To earn the INSAI Top Gainer Award, schools must show the following improvement:

Strategies Used by Top Gainer School:  These are the 2006-2007 strategies currently being implemented by INSAI's 2007 Top Gainer Award schools.  Schools experiencing gains in achievement tend to implement strategies in these areas.

• High Expectations
• Rigorous Curriclum
• Engaging Instruction
• Classroom Assessments
• Extra Help/Time
• Student Guidance
• Supportive Environment

2008 INSAI Top Gainer Award Recipients

Purple Denotes SW IN School

Half of the Schools in SW Indiana Recognized by INSAI this year are from Pike County!