INDIANA – The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) today announced that two Indiana schools have earned the National Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished School award for the 2020-2021 school year.
Schools receiving the National ESEA Distinguished School award – formerly the National Title I Distinguished School award – were recognized by the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA) for excellence in one of three categories:
- Category 1: Exceptional Student Performance and Academic Growth in a Title I School; or
- Category 2: Closing the Achievement Gap Between Student Groups in a Title I School; or
- Category 3: Excellence in serving special populations of students (e.g. homeless, migrant, English learners, etc.)
Edgelea Elementary School of Lafayette School Corporation is honored as a National ESEA Distinguished School for category 1.
Pine Tree Elementary School of Avon Community School Corporation is honored as a National ESEA Distinguished School for category 2.
“Edgelea and Pine Tree elementaries are examples of schools that recognize our collective opportunity to innovate, collaborate, and continue to challenge the status quo in order to improve educational outcomes for our most vulnerable students,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “They are a model for schools across Indiana and across the country, and I am thankful for the educators in these buildings who are making a difference for our students.”
Eligible schools were identified based on a review of the following criteria:
- Student achievement data and federal school letter grade of an A or B
- Student group performance and/or growth (e.g. students with disabilities)
- Poverty data of 35% or higher
- Diversity in student groups
The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators has been highlighting examples of superior Title I school programs for national recognition through the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program since 1996. Schools are selected by their state Department of Education based on their ability to demonstrate a wide array of strengths, including team approaches to teaching and learning, focused professional development opportunities for staff, individualized programs for student success, and strong partnerships between the school, parents, and the community.
More information on the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program is available here. More information on Indiana’s Title I schools is available here.
