E.A.M.S. Receives State Award
by Matt Stimac
March 15, 2010
East Alton Middle School was recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education as a 2009 Illinois Spotlight School. The Middle School received this award for its sustained academic success and closing the achievement gap. EAMS was one of 425 schools in the state that received the award.
The rigorous criteria that are used in selecting Spotlight Schools are as follows:
- At least half the students are from low-income families in 2009
- At least 60 percent of students must have met or exceeded standards in both reading and mathematics in 2009
- At least 50 percent of students met or exceeded standards in both reading and mathematics in the two previous years; 2008 and 2007
- Schools must have made Adequate Yearly Progress in the two previous years as required by No Child Left Behind, which in 2009 meant the following
- At least 70 percent of students meeting or exceeding standards in both reading and mathematics
- 95 percent participation rate in state assessments for all student in each subgroup
- Attendance rate of at least 90 percent for elementary and middle schools
You may visit the Illinois State Board of Education’s web site http://www.ilhonorroll.niu.edu to learn more about the Illinois Honor Roll and to view a full list of award winners.
