Nine Arkansas City Public Schools staff members traveled to Junction City High School Wednesday night for the fourth annual Challenge Awards banquet. Frances Willard and IXL Elementary Schools earned the awards for their performance in fifth grade reading on the 2005 Kansas State Assessments.

Frances Willard Principal Jeff Shearon and Academic Coach Misty Cunningham represented Frances Willard at the banquet. Representing IXL were Kathy Marshall, fifth grade teacher, Lisa Phillips, kindergarten teacher, Debra Jennings, para educator, and Janice Sims, teacher aide. Principal Mark Whitener was in Washington, D.C. accepting a national No Child Left Behind – Blue Ribbon School Award and was not able to attend.

Superintendent Dr. Ron Ballard, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Jan Voss, and Public Relations Director Kristen Martinez represented the district administration at the banquet. J.K. Campbell, director of business and operations, also was in D.C. for the Blue Ribbon ceremony as could not attend. Campbell is the immediate past principal at IXL.

The Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force presented Challenge Awards to 81 Kansas schools at the ceremony Nov. 9. The Challenge Awards are designed to recognize Kansas schools that are making a significant difference in student achievement despite facing significant challenges in school population.

The certificates recognize performance on state assessments in reading and/or mathematics that exceeds normal expectations based on the ethnicity and socio-economic status of those taking the test.

Data gathered through the Quality Performance Accreditation (QPA) process has shown that the greatest achievement gap occurs in schools with high ethnic populations, as well as a high percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunches. The schools receiving the Challenge Award all have such populations, but have managed to post state assessment scores above what would normally be expected among those populations.

“As noted by the name, the Challenge Awards recognize exemplary academic performance and achievement by students who represent school populations that may face unique or challenging circumstances,” Superintendent Dr. Ron Ballard said. “Both IXL and Frances Willard Elementary Schools have an established tradition of not only addressing but also overcoming challenges. They are among the highest achieving elementary schools in the state of Kansas, bar none.

“USD 470 has been represented in the Challenge Award ceremony every year since its inception,” he said. “Needless to say, the established tradition of excellence is one that reflects expert educational teaching and guidance, high student performance and the ongoing home and community support that facilitates such standing.”

“Kansas educators have long worked from the belief that all children can learn. The federal No Child Left Behind legislation also supports that contention,” said Charles Volland, chairman of the Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force. “The purpose of this award program is to both affirm that belief and recognize those schools that have been successful in putting that belief into action.”

In addition to recognizing schools for their achievements in reaching challenging populations, the Task Force also wanted to provide a way for other schools to learn how Challenge Award winners are making a difference in student achievement. Each of the Challenge Award winners will be asked to provide narrative information on the instructional strategies and techniques used to achieve their success. That information will then be made available to other schools.