“We now have proof that high standards and accountability are paying off. Scores are at all-time highs for African-American and Hispanic students, especially in the early grades. We’ve made more progress in the last five years than in the previous 30 combined."
"We’re on the right track. I see it in places like Pueblo, Colorado, where its poorest schools posted a 20-point gain in fourth-grade reading scores. Superintendent Joyce Bales says, 'Anybody can do what we’re doing. It’s easier to complain and whine than it is to do this hard work. We work hard. We work hard all the time...'"
Secretary Spellings’ Back-to-School Address
National Press Club, Washington, D.C.
September 21, 2005
During the annual Back-to-School address at the National Press Club, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings once again recognized the achievements of Pueblo District 60 in Pueblo, Colorado. Seven years ago, District 60 had some of the lowest test scores in the state of Colorado. At 60% minority status and 63% free or reduced-price lunches, few expected the district children to significantly improve their scores. However, Dr. Bales, the superintendent, and Dr. Owen, a school principal, believed every child could learn to read. In 1998, they established a partnership with Lindamood-Bell and set out to close the achievement gap for all of their students.
2005 Blue Ribbon School
Bradford Elementary School
in Pueblo District 60
The No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools program recognizes schools that make significant progress in closing the achievement gap or whose students achieve at very high levels. The schools are selected based on one of three criteria:
- Schools with at least 40% of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that dramatically improve student performance on state tests.
- Schools whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10% of their state on state tests.
- Private schools that achieve in the top 10% in the nation.
Bradford Elementary is the second Pueblo District 60 school to be awarded a Blue Ribbon. The first, Eva R. Baca Elementary School was honored in 2003.
Dillingham City Schools Begin Their Second Year of Replicating Pueblo School District 60
The success of the Pueblo project, prompted Alaska Education Commissioner Roger Sampson to identify a school district in his own state where a comprehensive district reform model could be implemented. Dillingham City School District stepped forward to make a difference for their children.
In the fall of 2004, Dillingham took the first step in replicating PSD 60’s success by implementing Lindamood-Bell’s model into all elementary, middle and high schools within the district. Results from the first year demonstrate that good progress has been made in the areas of reading and comprehension.
Dillingham Elementary School Passes AYP for the First Time!
“Dear Lindamood-Bell, Arne Watland, superintendent, asked me to share with you that Dillingham Elementary did make AYP this year. We believe the areas targeted by AYP were impacted by Lindamood-Bell and that the small group interventions and classroom implementation of strategies are a significant factor in this success. We are looking forward to the second year of implementation and expect even greater progress to come.”
—Curriculum and Special Programs Director
Dillingham City School District
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