Hiram DoddElementary School

Dodd Elementary School Named Distinguished Title I School 2014-15

Dodd Elementary School Named Distinguished Title I School 2014-15

Dodd Elementary School Named Distinguished Title I School 

In December 2014, Hiram W. Dodd Elementary School received the designation of Reward—High Progress School under the federal guidelines for Title I Schools. Now, the school has yet another accolade. Dodd has been selected as a 2014-2015 Title I Distinguished School.

In addition, on February 10, Susan McCrone, Chief of the Division of Federal Programs for the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and Maria Garcia, Regional Coordinator of the Division of Federal Programs, PDE, visited Dodd Elementary to tour the school and discuss the steps they took to success. Principal Karen Boardman and her team presented how they implemented the comprehensive planning process utilized by the District to the benefit of their students.
 
“This is yet another testament to dedication and the work being done by the Dodd Elementary School team under the direction of their Principal, Karen Boardman,” states Dr. Russell Mayo, Superintendent of the Allentown School District. “We were excited when they were named aReward—High Progress School, but this is like the cherry on top. We are so proud of their success.”
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 RewardHigh Achievement and Reward—High Progress.RewardHigh Achievement 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).
 
To attain a Reward—High Progress 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.
 
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—High Achievement or Reward—High Progress designation are eligible to compete for additional Collaboration and/or Innovation Grants.
 
 
(l-r) Jason Sizemore, Assistant Principal, Dodd Elementary School; Maria Garcia, Regional Coordinator of the Division of Federal Programs (PDE); Susan McCrone, Chief of the Division of Federal Programs (PDE); and Karen Boardman, Principal, Dodd Elementary School during visit at Dodd.