WASHINGTON — National Title I Association announce today O’Loughlin Elementary School in Hays has been named a National Title I Distinguished School by the Kansas Department of Education — making it one of 59 schools in the nation to earn the honor in 2013.
The announcement was made public by Hays USD 489 in early December, and the national organization released its press release this week.
A project of the National Title I Association, the National Title I Distinguished Schools Program publicly recognizes qualifying Title I schools for the outstanding academic achievements of their students. It highlights the efforts of schools across the country making significant improvements for their students. The program has been in place since 1996, highlighting the success of hundreds of schools in one of two categories:
• Exceptional student performance for two or more consecutive years
• Closing the achievement gap between students
Title I is the cornerstone of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. It is the largest federally funded pre-college education program in the United States and provides funding to school districts across the country to aid in the education of economically disadvantaged students.
The National Title I Association is a membership organization made up of the Title I Directors from each of the states and territories, who are charged with managing their state Title I program to ensure compliance with federal regulations and to ensure that all children – especially those living in economically disadvantaged conditions – have the opportunity to receive a high quality education.
The National Title I Association implemented the National Title I Distinguished Schools Program to highlight selected schools that have successfully used their Title I federal funds to improve the education for economically disadvantaged students. More information about all National Title I Distinguished Schools is available on the National Title I Association website.
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From the Dec. 9 Hays Post story:
O’Loughlin has had four years of sustained growth in achievement. Among Title 1 schools, O’Loughlin’s student performance puts them at the top of the Kansas State Department of Education list.
Nancy Harman is the O’Loughlin principal.
The Title 1 program gives supplemental support to 175 USD 489 students in reading and math. Schools must have 35 percent participation rate in the national free/reduced lunch program to qualify for Title 1 funding. There are six teachers providing Title 1 services throughout USD 489.
For a closer look at O’Loughlin, click HERE.