Five schools were recognized for their academic achievements at the Oct. 8 Groveport Madison Board of Education meeting.
"We have more schools in our district rated ‘effective’ (by the state) this year than any other year in the past," said Superintendent Scott McKenzie of the five out of 10 schools in the district to receive the designation.
In September McKenzie stated, "We have no schools in ‘academic emergency,’ no schools in ‘academic watch,’ five in ‘continuous improvement,’ and five ‘effective.’"
The five schools rated "effective" on the state report card are Madison Elementary, Sedalia Elementary, Middle School North, Middle School South, and the Junior High. The principals of each school were presented with banners that will be placed in their buildings to recognize the students’ achievements.
David Lanning, principal of Middle School North, said the district will not rest on its laurels. He said efforts to improve student performance will include strategies such as peer tutoring, meeting with parents to increase their involvement, holding content meetings among the schools, use of literacy consultants, and other methods. He also said officials will look at the individual students who failed the tests or who barely passed and try to address identified weaknesses.
Added Junior High Principal Lea Ann Yoakum, "We’ll look at the kids on the bubble and see how we can move those kids into a proficient category and make sure they don’t slip back."
Other Groveport Madison news
•Groveport Madison High School students will begin stating the "Pledge of Allegiance" each day following morning announcements once flags are obtained for each classroom.
The move came after junior Aaron England circulated a petition gathering more than 700 student signatures that requested the "Pledge of Allegiance" be said at the start of each school day.
•The board approved signing on to a program through the Educational Service Center of Franklin County where students who have been truant for 10 consecutive school days, or for at least 15 total school days, would have their driver’s licenses suspended through the county juvenile court.
