1160 Dublin Road, Suite 500 Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 481-3141; (614) 481-8997 fax www.BattelleforKids.org NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release November 13, 2012 Contact: Megan M. Lloyd, [email protected] (614) 481-3141 BATTELLE FOR KIDS RECOGNIZES 15 OHIO SCHOOLS AND 14 OHIO DISTRICTS FOR ACADEMIC PROGRESS COLUMBUS, Ohio — On Monday, November 12, Battelle for Kids presented 15 Ohio schools and 14 Ohio school districts with the 2012 SOAR Award for High Progress in one or more of the following three categories: School, District, and Most Improved. These annual awards are designed to acknowledge Ohio schools and districts participating in SOAR, Battelle for Kids’ school improvement collaborative, for their academic progress in multiple grade levels and subjects over the last school year (2011–2012). The schools awarded for High Progress are among the top 15 schools out of 830 participating SOAR schools making exceptional growth with their students while the recipients of the Significant Progress District Award are among the top eight percent of districts out of 120 participating SOAR districts. “It is an honor to recognize these 15 schools and 14 districts for their extraordinary progress with students,” said Jim Mahoney, executive director, Battelle for Kids. “The exceptional growth these educators have made with students is a testament to the hard work they’ve put forth to improve their schools and districts. The schools and districts receiving this award are to be applauded for their efforts to advance student learning.” Acting Superintendent of Public Instruction Michael Sawyers presented each school and district with their respective award. Tom Snowberger, senior vice president of Human Resources, Battelle Memorial Institute, also attended the ceremony and offered congratulatory remarks. About SOAR In 2002, Battelle for Kids launched SOAR—a statewide pilot to introduce value-added analysis to participating Ohio school districts and demonstrate how value-added information can improve teachers’ and schools’ impact on student learning. Over the past 10 years, as the demands for higher expectations and results have increased, SOAR expanded its scope of services to become a comprehensive school improvement collaborative, offering an array of services, professional development, and benefits to Ohio school districts. Today, SOAR represents 120 Ohio school districts, approximately 30 percent of the state's students in grades 3–8. SOAR is one of the country’s largest value-added initiatives and is a centerpiece of successful education reform on behalf of students. -More- About Battelle for Kids Battelle for Kids is a national, not-for-profit organization that provides strategic counsel and innovative solutions for today’s complex educational-improvement challenges. Our mission- driven team of education, technology, communications, and business professionals specializes in creating strategies that advance the development of human capital, the use of strategic measures, the implementation of effective practices, and communication with all stakeholders in schools. We partner with state departments of education, school districts, and education- focused organizations to advance these strategies with the shared goals of: improving teaching effectiveness and student progress; informing instructional practice in real time; recognizing and rewarding teaching excellence; and aligning goals and maximizing impact in schools. For more information, visit www.BattelleforKids.org. A Closer Look–SOAR Awards Criteria School Award SOAR Award for High Progress (grades 4–8) School must be among the top schools of all participating SOAR schools, based on school composite index. Grades 4-8 math and reading data is included in this analysis, and grades 5 and 8 science data must show average or above average growth. SOAR Award for High Progress (grades 9–12) School must have a minimum of 6 indicators (subjects) and be among the top schools for showing above average growth in the most recent school year. School must have consistency in school effects across grades and subjects in the most recent school year, which is validated by ensuring there is a 95 percent certainty that the average gain index is at least 2 or higher. School must have a minimal negative school effects in the most recent school year, with less than 25 percent of the most recent year’s school effects below average. District Award SOAR District Award for Significant Progress District must be among the top districts of all participating SOAR districts, based on district composite index. Grades 4-8 math and reading data is included in this analysis, and grades 5 and 8 science data must show average or above average growth. Most Improved Award District must be among the top districts of all participating SOAR districts in terms of a positive change in the composite index and rank in the state pool. 2012 SOAR Award for High Progress Schools (grades 4–8) Recipients: Amherst Elementary School, Jackson Local School District Endeavor Elementary School, Lakota Local School District James A Harmon Elementary School, South-Western City School District Miami Trace Elementary School, Miami Trace Local School District Miami Trace Middle School, Miami Trace Local School District* *2011 SOAR Award for High Progress Recipient Oakwood Junior High School, Plain Local School District Olmsted Falls Intermediate School, Olmsted Falls City School District Strausser Elementary School, Jackson Local School District Waggoner Road Middle School, Reynoldsburg City School District Windermere Elementary School, Upper Arlington City School District -More- 2 2012, Battelle for Kids. All Rights Reserved. 2012 SOAR Award for High Progress Schools (grades 9–12) Recipients: Granville High School, Granville Exempted Village School District* *2010 & 2011 SOAR Award for High Progress Recipient Hillsdale High School, Hillsdale Local School District Oakwood High School, Oakwood City School District Olentangy High School, Olentangy Local School District* *2010 & 2011 SOAR Award for High Progress Recipient Olentangy Liberty High School, Olentangy Local School District* *2010 & 2011 SOAR Award for High Progress Recipient 2012 SOAR Award for Significant Progress Recipients: Carrollton Exempted Village School District Circleville City School District Jackson Local School District Kettering City School District Miami East Local School District Miami Trace Local School District Norwayne Local School District Olmsted Falls City School District Sheffield-Sheffield Lake City School District Westerville City School District 2012 SOAR Award for Most Improved Recipients: Circleville City School District Franklin Local School District Mt. Healthy City School District Reading Community City School District Riverside Local School District All awards (with the exception of SOAR Most Improved) are based on 2011-2012 value-added information only. ### 3 2012, Battelle for Kids. All Rights Reserved. .