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The Pasadena Independent School District has been named the National Model
School District for 2008 by the International Center for Leadership in
Education (ICLE).
The ICLE recognized the district for its ongoing effort to reform the
educational program in Pasadena ISD to reflect higher standards and
greater rigor in its instruction throughout the system, which is the
intent of the district’s Expectation Graduation initiative. The
International Center cited as evidence of its achievement significant
improvement on TAKS over the past four years, the decrease in high
school failure rates, its decrease in dropout rates and its increase in
student attendance after only one full year of implementation.
“This is a huge award and wonderful national recognition for Pasadena
ISD,” said Dr. Kirk Lewis, Pasadena ISD superintendent. “The gains we
have made are a tribute to the teachers, principals and support staff
who worked so hard to change the delivery of instruction and add greater
rigor and relevance to the curriculum from pre-kindergarten through the
12th grade.”
The district will be recognized at the ICLE’s Model Schools Conference
in Orlando, Fla., in June. The Model Schools Conference is the largest
national forum for K-12 educational reform.
Dr. William R. Daggett, president of the ICLE, shared his words of
praise about Pasadena ISD’s programs.
“We are delighted that this exceptional district will be sharing its
best practices, which mirror the International Center’s mission of
providing a rigorous and relevant education for all students,” Daggett
said.
This is the first national recognition the entire district has received
since the 1970s when Pasadena ISD was recognized by the
nationally-syndicated Parade Magazine for moving to the intermediate
school concept.
“Our students, teachers and staff have made this happen through their
tireless and focused efforts,” Lewis said. “While we recognize that we
still have a long way to go to reach our final goals within Expectation
Graduation, this honor is a significant achievement worth celebrating.”
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