Published: August 05, 2008 09:14 am            

Corbin High School honored as national Pacesetter School

Award annually granted to a mere 25 schools across the nation

Special to The Times-Tribune

Corbin High School has been selected as a national High Schools That Work (HSTW) Pacesetter School. This award is based on the success of local school leaders and teachers in improving school practices and raising student achievement. The award was presented by Dave Spence, president of the Southern Regional Education Board, at the 22nd Annual HSTW Staff Development Conference in Nashville, Tenn. on Wednesday, July 9. Corbin High School was one of only 25 HSTW schools to receive the 2008 Pacesetter Award.

Spence praised the school for its achievement, pointing out that it takes dedication and hard work on the part of state, district and school leaders and teachers to make progress in preparing students for college and careers. He presented the award before an audience of more than 7,000 educators from across the nation attending the HSTW Conference.

To be recognized as a HSTW Pacesetter School, schools must meet a variety of criteria. Pacesetter schools deeply implement the HSTW design, teach students a rigorous academic curriculum linked to a program of study, have high student achievement, and have a high graduation rate or meet the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) criteria of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

“This school has shown what can be accomplished to raise student achievement by deeply implementing the High Schools That Work model for strengthening curriculum and instruction,” said Gene Bottoms, senior vice president of SREB and founder of HSTW. “The school illustrates the spirit of change and the gains in performance that High Schools That Work advocates and supports through assessment, staff development and technical assistance.”

High Schools That Work is a national, comprehensive school improvement design based on the premise that most students can master rigorous academic and career/technical studies if school leaders and teachers create a school environment that motivates all students to make the effort to succeed. The HSTW initiative is the nation’s first large-scale effort to engage state, district and school leaders in partnership with teachers, students, parents and the community to equip all students with the knowledge and skills needed to graduate from high school and succeed in college and the workplace. More than 1,100 high schools in 31 states participate in the HSTW school improvement initiative.

        

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