Forsyth Co, Jefferson City schools, Jefferson Middle School get Title 1 'distinguished' designations

ATLANTA - Four of Georgia's Title I school districts - including Jefferson City and Forsyth County - have been honored as Title I Reward Districts, and two Title I schools - including Jefferson Middle - have been recognized as National Title I Distinguished Schools.<br /> <br /> The Forsyth County, Oconee County, Jefferson City, and Chickamauga City school systems were named Title I Reward Districts, according to the Georgia Department of Education (GDOE), meaning they had the highest absolute performance over three years for the "all students" group on the statewide assessments, among districts of their size. Title I Reward Districts were named in four categories: large districts with 10,000 or more students, medium districts with 4,000 to 9,999 students, small districts with 2,000 to 3,999 students and extra-small districts with fewer than 2,000 students.<br /> <br /> In Forsyth County, 94.6 percent of students met or exceeded standards, compared to the state average of 81.3 percent for large districts. In Oconee County, 93.8 percent of students met or exceeded standards, compared to the state average of 82.9 percent for medium districts. In Jefferson City, 94.8 percent of students met or exceeded standards, compared to the state average of 81.4 percent for small districts. And in Chickamauga City, 92.7 percent of students met or exceeded standards, compared to the state average of 73.9 percent for extra-small districts.<br /> <br /> "We are enormously proud of these districts who are working, often against the odds, to improve education outcomes for their students," State Superintendent Dr. John Barge said. "It is not easy work they are doing, but the impressive results speak for themselves." <br /> <br /> Two Georgia schools were named National Title I Distinguished Schools, as part of a program that recognizes schools for exceptional performance and closing the achievement gap.<br /> <br /> Jefferson Middle School (Jefferson City Schools) was named in the highest-performing category. Over a two-year period from 2011 to 2013, 96.2 percent of Jefferson Middle's students met or exceeded standards, compared to an average 91.9 percent in non-Title I students and 81.1 percent in Title I middle schools.<br /> <br /> Stewart County Middle School (Stewart County Schools) was named in the high-progress category. There, the percentage of students meeting or exceeding standards rose from 68.1 percent in 2010-2011 to 84.5 percent in 2012-2013. <br /> <br /> "Both of these schools are so deserving of this recognition," Dr. Barge said. "At Jefferson Middle, Title I students are outscoring the state average. At Stewart County Middle, hard work and effective practices have led to steady gains in student achievement. I offer my congratulations to all those in these schools and communities."<br /> <br /> <br />

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