Assessment tests measure academic progress but they mean much more than numbers, state and local education leaders told Lincoln Elementary School students Thursday.
The school was recognized with a Challenge Award from the Kansas Confidence in Education Task Force, a group comprised of eight organizations to recognize schools that made a notable difference in student achievement despite significant challenges in the school population.
Lincoln received the award because of improved achievement test scores by last years fourth grade class (now fifth-graders at Iola Middle School) and because of outstanding attendance. Jim Porter, District 9 representative for the Kansas Board of Education, visited Lincoln on Thursday to present the award to third, fourth and fifth grade students.
The assessments are important and your grades are important, but other things are important too, like showing up on time and being able to work with your neighbor, to be prepared, to solve problems and to think creatively, Porter told the students.
Superintendent Stacey Fager echoed those sentiments: We are recognized here because you concentrated. You gave your best effort. You listened to your teachers and you did a great job on your assessments last year.
Fager noted the last time USD 257 received a Challenge Award was in 2009 and asked students how old they were 10 years ago. Many hadnt even been born yet, they realized. He encouraged them to continue to work hard so they might earn the same award next year. He also told them to thank their teachers for an outstanding job, too.