Burmaster names 182 New Wisconsin Promise Schools of Recognition

29 have received award five or more consecutive years

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster named 182 New Wisconsin Promise Schools of Recognition for the 2008-09 school year. Twenty-nine of the schools have received the recognition five or more years in a row.

"Being named a New Wisconsin Promise School of Recognition celebrates the efforts these schools make to create a learning climate that supports every student," Burmaster said. "It is the work of teachers, parents, administrators, and other staff members at these schools that contributes to student success and helps us fulfill our New Wisconsin Promise to provide a quality education for every child and to close the achievement gap between economically disadvantaged students and their peers."

To be recognized, schools must be eligible to receive federal Title I funding and be among the highest poverty schools in the state based on free and reduced-price school lunch data. Additionally, student achievement on statewide reading and mathematics assessments must outperform the state average for schools with similar poverty rates and grade configurations. Finally, the school must have made adequate yearly progress for the past two years as defined under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Schools meeting all four criteria will receive award plaques at an Oct. 13 ceremony at the State Capitol and $1,500 for use by the school. During the awards ceremony, 15 schools will receive flags for earning the New Wisconsin Promise School of Recognition award for five consecutive years. Another 14 schools have been named for recognition since the program's inception. They received flags last year.

"Our democracy depends on an educated citizenry," Burmaster said. "The strength of our public schools directly contributes to the strength of our nation and our economic well-being. We must invest in our public schools to ensure our young people graduate with the skills they need to take their place in our interconnected world and the 21st century workplace."

NOTES: A list of New Wisconsin Promise Schools of Recognition by schools within districts is available in the complete news release. The number after a school name indicates the consecutive years that school has received the New Wisconsin Promise Schools of Recognition award.

Last updated on 9/2/2008 11:47:30 AM