Allentown, PA (April 19, 2016):<\/strong> \u00a0Ritter Elementary School has received the designation of a 2015-2016 Reward\u2014High Progress<\/em> School under the federal guidelines for Title I Schools joining Hiram Dodd Elementary School as the second school in the District to receive this high level of recognition.<\/p>\n \u201cWe could not be more pleased to have another Reward \u2013 High Progress<\/em> School,\u201d states Dr. Russell Mayo, Superintendent of the Allentown School District. \u201cThis recognition is a testament to dedication and the work being done by the Ritter Elementary School team under the direction of their Principal, Melissa Marcks.\u201d<\/p>\n Each year, the Division of Federal Programs honors the top performing Title I schools in Pennsylvania. This year, they selected 95 Title I schools as Distinguished Schools based on the specific school criteria. The Division of Federal Programs based their selection on schools that were designation of Reward\u2014High Achievement<\/em> and Reward\u2014High Progress<\/em>. Reward\u2014High Achievement<\/em> schools are the highest 5% of Title I schools based on aggregate math and reading PSSA or Keystone scores and met all Annual Measurable Objectives (AMOs).<\/p>\n To attain a Reward\u2014High Progress<\/em> School designation, Dodd Elementary had to meet the elementary-level applicable requirements including be in the highest 5% of all Title I schools based on aggregate progress in closing the achievement gap in Reading and Mathematics for PSSA and\/or Algebra I\/Literature for Keystone Exams combined for the All Student group and the Historically Underperforming Student group.<\/p>\n Title I is a federal designation given to schools with a high percentage of low-income students. There are more than 1,800 Title I schools in Pennsylvania, which encompasses about 61 percent of all schools. Schools who have earned Reward\u2014High Achievement<\/em> or Reward\u2014High Progress<\/em> designation are eligible to compete for additional Collaboration and\/or Innovation Grants.<\/p>\n About Allentown School District<\/strong><\/p>\n ASD serves more than 16,000 students in a network of 22 early childhood, elementary, middle and high schools located throughout the City of Allentown, PA. The Allentown School District is the third largest urban school district out of 500 districts in the Commonwealth. A shared vision of the community, parents, guardians, staff and faculty focuses on \u201cEmpowering Students for Life,\u201d providing ASD students with the skills and academics they need to realize their aspirations whether they be college, career or technical focus. ASD goals are aligned and compatible with the Pathways to Success Framework while providing a balanced education to all students. Allentown School District employs approximately 2,200 teachers, staff and administrators. The District, founded in 1866 and celebrating its Sesquicentennial throughout 2015-2016, serves students from 43 countries speaking 26 languages with nearly 90 percent of households qualifying as low income. ASD is committed to providing safe learning environments in which all students have equal access to education programs and resources.<\/p>\n
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