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Local schools gain state recognition

JANESVILLE — Three Janesville elementary schools are among 132 statewide that were named Wisconsin Schools of Recognition on Wednesday.

The annual honor recognizes success in educating students from low-income families.

The local award winners are Jackson, Lincoln and Madison elementary schools.

Lincoln has earned the award four years in a row and Madison two years in a row.

"These schools are being recognized for their work to break the link between poverty and low academic achievement through rigorous programming and attention to student needs," state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers said in a press release.

The schools receiving awards have some of the highest poverty rates in the state, based on free and reduced-price school lunch data. Student achievement in reading and mathematics was above average for schools from similarly sized districts, schools, grade configurations and poverty levels.

Janesville schools Superintendent Karen Schulte said she was pleased with how hard the staffs at all three schools had worked.

Schulte was especially proud of the schools that repeated this year. It's difficult to continue winning because the award is based in part on improvements from year to year, she said.

Jackson has the second-highest poverty rate in the district, and Madison has the third-highest.

Schulte said she hoped all Janesville public schools whose poverty rates qualify them could one day earn the award.

Adams Elementary School and TAGOS Leadership Academy earned the honor last year.

The schools will receive plaques at an Oct. 2 awards ceremony at the state Capitol and $1,000 for use by the school.

Schulte said the state offers grants to teachers at these schools for professional development, and last year most Janesville teachers who applied received grants. Grant awards can be as high as $10,000.

Two Beloit schools also will receive the award—McLenegan Elementary School and Converse Elementary School, which has earned it two years running.