GENTRY — The National Center for Educational Achievement's annual list of higher performing schools released earlier this month recognizes Arkansas public schools that are most successful at preparing students for college and careers, and Gentry Middle School was included in that list.

NCEA, a department of ACT, Inc., released its 2011 NCEA Higher Performing Schools List for Arkansas on its website www.nc4ea. org in early November.The list identifies those elementary, middle and high schools in Arkansas that have consistently outperformed their peers with similar student populations over a three-year period (the 2008-09, 2009-10, and 2010-11 school years).

"The list of Higher Performing Schools is a valuable tool for any district that wants to evaluate areas of performance that might need strengthening. It's also a great way to compare your school or your district to other schools of similar demographics in the state," says AngelaHall Watkins, assistant vice president and managing director of NCEA. "The schools that really stand out are those that, over several years, have gone above and beyond their expected achievement levels given their socioeconomic status. Such commitment is truly impressive and is a testament to the fact that economic obstacles can indeed be overcome with dedication and perseverance."

On the list are several schools whose populations include a significant amount (more than 60percent) of economically disadvantaged students. Gentry Middle School was among those listed, with almost 62 percent of students qualifying for free and reduced-price lunches. The Middle School was listed as higher performing in science, based on growth, and higher performing in literacy, based on both advanced and growth.

NCEA identified the Higher Performing Schools based on one or both of two measures: 1) consistent improvement in student achievement from previous years (growth) and/or 2) absolute student achievement using the schools' Advanced Performance results on the 2009-2011 Augmented Benchmark Exams. (Proficient Performance results were used for the 2009-2011 Grade 11 Literacy Exam.)

"The presence of your district's school on the 2011 NCEA Higher Performing Schools list not only demonstrates their belief that all students are capable of graduating prepared for college and careers, but also their commitment to making it happen," wrote Watkins in a letter sent to the district.

The National Center for Educational Achievement is a department of ACT, Inc., a not-for-profit organization committed to helping people achieve education and workplace success. NCEA builds the capacity of educators and leaders to create educational systems of excellence for all students by providing research-based solutions and expertise in higher performing schools, school improvement and best-practice research that lead to increased levels of college and career readiness.

News, Pages 3 on 11/30/2011