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PRESS RELEASE
September 5, 2003
Frances Marine
(850) 245-0413
Education Commissioner Jim Horne Presents Turie T. Small Elementary School
With School Recognition Dollars
Horne Presents Check for $46,206; Schools statewide receive $137.5 million in school
recognition funds this year
DAYTONA BEACH — Education Commissioner Jim Horne yesterday presented Turie T. Small Elementary School in Volusia County a check for $46,206 in school recognition funds. The school improved its school grade from a "B" to an "A" during the 2002-03 academic year.
"It is my pleasure to present this check to our schools that have worked so hard to achieve this level of student achievement," said Commissioner Horne. "We know our students can learn and this proves it. Governor Bush's A+ Plan and his commitment to education demonstrate that our students continue to meet and exceed our expectations. I congratulate the administrators, teachers, students, and parents for their outstanding efforts."
Turie T. Small Elementary has 87 percent of students receiving free- and reduced-priced lunch, with 67 percent making learning gains in reading, 86 percent making learning gains in math, and 87 percent meeting high standards in writing. In addition, 67 percent of students in the lowest performing 25th percentile made learning gains in reading.
The A+ School Recognition Program acknowledges schools that are achieving and showing improvement. All of Florida's public schools received report cards with grades on an "A" through "F" scale. The program recognizes schools that have improved at least one letter grade or received an "A" for the 2002-2003 school year. Schools that improve at least one grade or receive an "A" based primarily on student achievement are being rewarded with $100 per student.
In addition to Turie T. Small Elementary, 54 other Volusia County schools received $4.8 million dollars in school recognition dollars for earning an "A" or showing improvement. Recognition funds can be used by a school to cover the costs of non-recurring faculty and student incentives such as pizza parties, educational equipment, or hiring temporary personnel to assist in maintaining and improving student performance.
Since 1999, $443.3 million has been awarded to eligible schools receiving an "A" performance grade or schools improving at least one performance grade category from the previous year.
Under the leadership of Governor Bush, accomplishments for education include:
- A+/RISING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT: From 1998 to 2003, Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) reading scores have improved significantly for students in Florida. Minority students have made the most dramatic improvements. For example, this year 60 percent of all 4th graders met or surpassed the proficient level (scoring Level 3 and above) on the FCAT reading, up from 51 percent in 1998. Other 4th grade improvements include: 41 percent of African American students scored at or above grade level in 2003 compared to 23 percent in 1998. 51 percent of Hispanic students scored at or above grade level in 2003 compared to 38 percent in 1998. 73 percent of white students scored at or above grade level in 2003 compared to 65 percent in 1998.
- A+ PLAN/SCHOOL GRADES: The results of the FCAT released in May revealed the biggest improvement in student achievement to date. The number of schools receiving a grade of "A" or "B" rose from 1,447 in 2002 to 1,799 this year, while the number of "D" and "F" schools dropped from 249 in 2002 to 176 this year. The Governor's Assistance Plus program continues to provide failing schools with additional resources to address their areas of weakness. In addition to increased funding - approximately $1,000 more per student - failing schools receive school improvement facilitators, reading coaches, and technical assistance, as well as assessments to monitor student progress.
- FUNDING INCREASES: A five-year funding increase of more than $3.7 billion - 34 percent - which far surpasses Florida's significant student growth in the same period of 11 percent. Per student funding has increased by $989 in five years, a 20 percent increase.
- MENTORING: Currently there are more than 135,000 mentors statewide. Governor Bush has set a goal of 200,000 mentors throughout the state. The budget signed by the Governor this year allocates $12.25 million to support mentoring through such programs as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs, the Governor's Mentoring Initiative, Take Stock in Children and Best Buddies.
- JUST READ, FLORIDA!: In fiscal year 2003-2004, this initiative received $25 million a 127 percent increase over fiscal year 2002-2003. The initiative is based on the latest reading research that includes emphasis on phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. The goal of the initiative is for every Florida child reading on grade level or better by 2012. The program, unveiled in 2001, prioritizes reading in Florida's public schools and among all the community groups and volunteer organizations that support them.
- ADVANCED PLACEMENT/PSAT-SAT SCORES: Florida's high school students continue to show improvement on standardized placement tests. The latest results show the number of SAT test takers in Florida increased 10 percent to more than 83,400 - the highest ever. Florida's average verbal score rose two points, due largely to higher scores among Hispanic, African American and Asian males. Results indicate students who take advanced courses have significantly higher scores. The number of Advanced Placement (AP) test takers increased by 19 percent, compared to 10 percent for the U.S. In addition, 14 percent of all public school sophomore PSAT takers are Floridians.
Commissioner Horne visited Turie T. Small Elementary on the first leg of a two-day tour of schools in Polk, Volusia, Alachua, Escambia, Okaloosa, and Jackson Counties.
A list of Volusia County schools receiving school recognition funds is below.
Bonner Elementary School $47,416 Blue Lake Elementary School $58,304 Tomoka Elementary School $94,314 Pathways Elementary School $57,142 Pine Trail Elementary School $73,869 Holly Hill Middle School $95,930 Chisholm Elementary School $41,763 Ormond Beach Elementary School $29,460 Coronado Beach Elementary School $34,400 DeLand High School $273,184 Woodward Avenue Elementary School $70,408 DeLand Middle School $148,775 Louise S. McInnis Elementary School $44,550 Deltona Middle School $139,515 Deltona Lakes Elementary School $96,954 Enterprise Elementary School $59,735 Osteen elementary School $70,552 Palm Terrace Elementary School $67,450 Holly Hill Elementary School $72,753 Walter A. Hurst Elementary School $49,052 R.J. Longstreet Elementary School $44,450 Silver Springs Middle School $135,366 Horizon Elementary School $85,058 George W. Marks Elementary School $80,273 Indian River Elementary School $70,958 New Smyrna Beach Middle School $160,800 W. F. Burns Oak Hill Elementary School $18,550 Orange City Elementary School $75,212 Ormond Beach Middle School $176,001 Ortona Elementary School $28,805 Spruce Creek High School $240,935 Spruce Creek Elementary School $71,216 Sugar Hill Elementary School $83,770 Osceola Elementary School $52,314 Pierson Elementary School $45,800 Port Orange Elementary School $46,700 Atlantic High School $148,743 Sweetwater Elementary School $99,494 Read-Pattillo Elementary School $51,655 Samsula Elementary School $25,200 Turie T. Small Elementary School $46,206 South Daytona Elementary School $87,420 Southwestern Middle School $66,101 Edith I. Starke Elementary School $42,926 Discovery Elementary School $84,064 Timbercrest Elementary School $111,070 Galaxy Middle School $167,481 Sunrise Elementary School $84,372 Friendship Elementary $86,150 Pine Ridge High School $230,967 Forest Lake Elementary School $79,694 DeBary Elementary School $98,353 Heritage Middle School $139,467 Freedom Elementary School $55,932 Creekside Middle School $121,266 Volusia County Total $4,868,295