Valley View Accolades April 2005

Jamie McGee Elementary Makes Illinois Honor Roll

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Northern Illinois University (NIU) released on Thursday, March 3, 2005 have announced the Illinois Honor Roll Schools for the 2003-2004 school year. These outstanding schools are recognized for their accomplishments in making progress toward or maintaining academic excellence. ISBE and NIU made the announcement at Salazar Elementary Bilingual Center in Chicago, one of the schools being recognized on the Illinois Honor Roll.

The 2003-2004 Illinois Honor Roll roster includes elementary, middle, and high schools, each of which made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as defined by federal No Child Left Behind legislation. Further, all schools have sustained both Adequate Yearly Progress and qualifying test scores over at least three years.

Schools were recognized in one or more of three categories: Academic Excellence Awards, Spotlight Schools, or Academic Improvement Awards. Jamie McGee Elementary School in Bolingbrook is listed under Academic Improvement Awards. Schools in this category made significant gains in performance over three years, changing direction to success. Criteria include an upward trend in test results, a 7.5 percent gain in scores above last year or 15 percent over two years, or release from the Academic Early Warning List. Michael Zolecki is the principal of McGee Elementary.

"We are very proud to be recognized by the State Board of Education and Northern Illinois University, said Zolecki. "Improving student learning occurs when children are supported by a school staff, parents, and community. McGee School is fortunate to have parents and a school staff that believes all children can learn more."

"We salute these schools and their teachers, parents, and communities for working together to create excellent learning experiences with great outcomes," said State Superintendent Randy Dunn. "They have worked hard and made great things happen for students. We salute their achievements and encourage them and all Illinois schools to build on these successes for the future.

"We believe that these schools deserve applause for their accomplishments," said John Peters, President of Northern Illinois University. "Given the urgent need for successful examples, we should also be studying these schools and disseminating examples of what works," added Peters.

ISBE and NIU partnered to develop the program to honor the schools. A complete listing of the 2003-2004 Illinois Honor Roll Schools is below and can also be found at www.isbe.net.

 

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