Schools in Norfolk, Va., Get $500,000 Prize for Student Gains [w/Jeb on the Jury]

The NY Times - Education ^ | September 21, 2005 | DAVID M. HERSZENHORN

[summer]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 - The public schools in Norfolk, Va., which over the last seven years have steadily narrowed a wide gap between white and black students in reading and mathematics scores, have won this year's Broad Prize, a $500,000 award to the urban school district making the greatest strides in student achievement.

The prize was announced on Tuesday at a ceremony at the Library of Congress by Eli Broad, the founder of the Broad Foundation, which is dedicated to improving urban school districts across the country.

"In our circles this is really the Nobel Prize of education," Stephen C. Jones, the superintendent of the Norfolk schools, said in accepting the award. "It is truly an acknowledgment of all the hard work and dedication that goes into educating our kids every day."

...[re prize losers:] But the disappointment was particularly palpable among officials from Boston, including Mayor Thomas M. Menino....

"As you can imagine, the Broad Prize jury had an extremely difficult job in selecting one winner from the group of five," Mr. Broad told an audience that included Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and a host of senators and members of Congress, as well as local officials from each of the five finalist school districts.

"But after reviewing all of the data," Mr. Broad said, "the jury was unanimous in its selection of one district that has demonstrated remarkable accomplishments despite challenging circumstances."...

[summer]

Congrats to Norfolk Schools!!!

BTW, this NYT article is a good read, but it didn't mention the fact Florida's Favorite Governor, Jeb Bush was a judge on the jury awarding this prize. The prize recognizes a school district for closing the achievement gap between black and white students.

However, you don't need to rely solely on the NYT with me around! :)

I was surfing on the web one day and found the site of the foundation which sponsors this prize. This foundation was so interesting to me, I read the whole site - and, wow! There was Gov Jeb Bush's name on the site, the first one mentioned as a judge on THIS PAGE HERE.

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I'm posting this news on the front page of FR because although FR posters know FL Gov Jeb Bush is a recognized expert in education, that distinction drives those poor Dem leaders absolutely bananas. :)

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FYI. :)

[JustRight]

Do they do it by raising the scores of the black students, or lowering the scores of the white students? Either one will close the gap.

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Read the site - then you tell me. :)

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Why do posters like the one above always JUMP on me with their questions?! RIGHT AWAY, TOO! But, I try to remain nice. However, right now, I'm signing off. :)

[JustRight]

I can't, I get some kind of redirection limit error. I'm not referring specifically to this district. If there is an award for something like this, somebody is going to figure out a way to move the number in the right direction without doing the right thing.

[Gardener]

They should have just cloned Mrs. Johnson at Ocean View Elementary, they'd have had wonderful scholastic levels all along. Thank you Mrs. Johnson!

Way to go Norfolk!

Go Granby Comets!

[summer]

LOL...very nice post! Thanks, Gardener. :)

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Amelia, your district would probably be into this award.

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moog, FYI. BTW, thanks for your replies on that other thread. I am a little behindin my reading here, but I will get to it and reply. :)

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FYI. :)

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Re my post #2 - Well, it was on the front page for a little while there!

[moog]

Thank you. That article looks like a good one. I'm on and off sometimes as it depends on how much time I have.