For years Ann Arbor Public Schools have fought to close the achievement gap that exists between different sub-groups of students. The district now has a shining example of what can be done.
Ann Arbor Public Schools officials are celebrating King Elementary School receiving a National Blue Ribbon School award for closing the achievement gap.
Superintendent Jeanice Swift hopes to replicate the success at King Elementary at schools across the district. She says King teachers are convinced reviewing student data on a cyclical basis is one key to closing the gap. "To really see what students need, treating very strategically to needs, and then measuring again in a few weeks. So they have a real clear idea in their mind of what in their practice produced these results, and so we'll be very excited to be sharing that," Swift says.
Swift says while a couple of specific programs may be important, it's also clear that the culture at King of everyone working together for students led to the blue ribbon.
Students, staff, and families at King Elementary will celebrate the award November 21st.
Like 89.1 WEMU on Facebook and follow us on Twitter— Andrew Cluley is the Ann Arbor beat reporter, and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at734.487.3363 or email him acluley@emich.edu.
