By KJ MUSHUNG
Governor Bob McDonnell and the Board of Education announced in a press release that 151 schools and one school division earned 2013 Virginia Index of Performance awards for advanced learning and achievement. The VIP incentive program recognizes schools and divisions that exceed minimum state and federal accountability standards and achieve excellence goals established by the governor and the board.
Several Prince William County schools made the grade, but only one Stafford school was named.
The schools and school divisions earning 2013 VIP awards, which are based on student achievement and other performance indicators during 2011-12, include 51 schools and one school division that earned the Board of Education Excellence Award and 98 schools that earned the Board of Education Distinguished Achievement Award.
Mary G. Porter Traditional and Mountain View Elementary schools in Prince William County both received the Board of Education Excellence Awards. These schools met all state and federal accountability benchmarks for at least two consecutive years and made significant progress toward goals for increased student achievement and expanded educational opportunities set by the board.
A. Henderson Elementary, Thurgood Marshall Elementary and Westridge Elementary in Prince William County and Garrisonville Elementary in Stafford County each received the Distinguished Achievement Award. These schools met state and federal benchmarks for at least two consecutive years and made progress toward the goals of the governor and the board.
“Virginia’s education system is among the best in the country, and each of these schools [is] setting the standard we should expect for every school in the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Education Laura Fornash in a release.
“Excellence doesn’t just happen; it is achieved through hard work and a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation,” said McDonnell. “We are blessed to have some of the finest schools and teachers in the nation. We must continue to ensure that all students have access to the high quality education they deserve.”
