President's Education Awards Program

 I have no idea if SPS schools are handing these out federally-based awards but, just in case, here's info about them.

President's Award for Educational Excellence
 The feds have a program that allows school principals to give out academic awards based on grades OR "academic achievement" along with "activities in which a student demonstrates high motivation, initiative, integrity, intellectual depth, leadership qualities and/or exceptional judgment. They may also require student essays and outstanding attendance, but these activities must bear some relationship to the academic performance of a student."

They must also include taking a "state test or nationally-normed achievement tests" including the SAT or ACT. (I'm guessing that Principal Clark at Denny wouldn't even consider giving one to any student who opted out of the SBAC.)

OR

Recommendations from a Teacher Plus One Other Staff Member: One recommendation is to reflect outstanding achievement such as English, mathematics, science, history, geography, art, foreign language, and any other courses that reflect a school's core curriculum. This judgment is to be supported by tangible evidence that is comprised of either results on teacher-made tests, portfolio assessment, or special projects. The second recommendation from a school staff member may address, for example: involvement in community service or co-curricular activities including tutoring other students and/or demonstration of creativity and achievement in the visual and performing arts.

President's Award for Educational Achievement
 The purpose of this award is to recognize students that show outstanding educational growth, improvement, commitment or intellectual development in their academic subjects but do not meet the criteria for the President's Award for Educational Excellence. This award should not be compared to the President's Award for Educational Excellence or be seen as a second tier award, for it recognizes a very different type of academic achievement. It is meant to encourage and reward students who work hard and give their best effort in school, often in the face of special obstacles to their learning.

This award is given at the principal's discretion based on the criteria developed at the school. The criteria should reflect the purpose of the award and must be applied fairly to all students.

The directions are very clear, though, for both awards:
 *Please note the school principal has final authority to determine which students receive this award*

Comments

Maureen said…
Referring to the Program from graduation at Ingraham High School: It looks like about sixty seniors were awarded the Presidential Award for Educational Excellence (the criteria are CGPA or CGPA/test score based.) I don't see any reference to Educational Achievement Awards (I imagine those might have to be based on less objective criteria?) There is also a Principal's award for one student. (And lots of other awards of course! Go Rams!)

6/12/15, 8:44 AM
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