West Side Elem. Named as Title I Distinguished Performance School

Jacksonville ISD's West Side Elementary has been named a 2008-2009 Title I, Part A Distinguished Performance School by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Distinguished Performance schools are recognized as consistently providing educational excellence to the students that they serve.

According to West Side Elementary principal Sandi Jones, "The success of West Side Elementary is the result of a staff the gives 210% to students daily and students that come to school excited and ready to learn. When someone outside the Jacksonville community recognizes our commitment to education, it lets our staff and students know they are appreciated.”

Title I is the largest of the federally funded elementary and secondary education programs. Federal law requires each state to identify those Title I schools that are meeting or exceeding the state’s standards.

To receive this honor a school must meet these criteria:

• Title I, Part A Campus 2006-2007, 2007-2008; and 2008-2009
• 40% or more low-income in 2008-2009;
• Met AYP in 2007 and 2008;
• Spring 2008 Exemplary;
• Spring 2007 Exemplary or Recognized; and
• Spring 2006 Academically Unacceptable or Academically Acceptable.

Achieving and maintaining such high standards, especially when the standards increase each year, is an accomplishment that deserves to be celebrated. On May 12, 2009, the Region VII Education Service Center (ESC) will present West Side Elementary and each of the other 21 schools in East Texas who received the recognition with a certificate of achievement on behalf of the Texas Education Agency at the service center located in Kilgore, Texas.