Ritter Elementary School has received the designation of a 2015-2016 Reward—High Progress 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.
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“We could not be more pleased to have another Reward – High Progress School,” states Dr. Russell Mayo, Superintendent of the Allentown School District. “This 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.”
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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—High Achievement and Reward—High Progress. Reward—High 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).
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To attain a Reward—High Progress School designation, Ritter and Dodd Elementary Schools 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.
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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.