Coolspring Elementary School was honored by Indiana Secretary of Education Tony Bennett at a Statehouse Ceremony in Indianapolis on Thursday, March 1. The school finished fourth in the state in English/Language Arts achievement, based on data from Indiana’s Growth Model.
Secretary Bennett awarded a certificate to representatives from Coolspring, including Principal Lisa Suter, Curriculum Coach Lisa Bailey, and Fourth Grade Read 180 Teacher Jodie Macke. MCAS Superintendent Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins accompanied the group to Indianapolis, and was honored at the ceremony, as well.
Of the 20 Indiana Schools recognized Thursday, nine (including Coolspring) had more than 50 percent of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
"Every school here today is proving that all students are capable of academic growth—no matter their gifts, limitations or knowledge attained before entering a classroom,” Bennett said. “It’s an honor to distinguish these educators who are pushing students to reach their highest academic potential.”
The Indiana Growth Model measures how much students learn in each content area over the course of a year based on ISTEP+ data. Michigan City Area Schools had more good news based on the Growth Model scores: Springfield Elementary finished at #14 in the State for English/Language Arts and #53 for Math, while Lake Hills Elementary reached #41 in Math. These rankings are significant, considering there are more than 1,500 public schools in Indiana taking the ISTEP+. The district’s overall growth also outpaced that of neighboring school corporations in Northwest Indiana.
