Title
Proclamation honoring West Mifflin's Clara Barton Elementary School for receiving the No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education.
Body
WHEREAS, the No Child Left Behind Act was enacted by President George W. Bush with the mission of improving the performance of schools in the United States by increasing accountability and renewing the focus on basic skills; and
WHEREAS, Clara Barton Elementary School of the West Mifflin Area School District recently received the No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education, an honor bestowed upon only 287 schools in the country; and
WHEREAS, Clara Barton Elementary students have demonstrated their academically superior achievement levels, as noted by reading scores that rose in the proficient level from 21 percent in 2003 to 63 percent in 2006 and the number of students in the basic level dropped from 32 percent to 13 percent. Likewise, the percentage of economically disadvantaged students at the advanced level in math rose from 33 percent in 2003 to 53 percent in 2006; and
WHEREAS, the schoolwide improvement has been a collaborative effort involving the students, the administration, the West Mifflin community, and perhaps most importantly, Clara Barton's caring, dedicated, and academically- driven teachers, who provided and continue to provide the motivation and attention necessary to make such great strides in education;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Allegheny County Council does hereby join in congratulating Clara Barton Elementary School for receiving the No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Award. Furthermore, this Council would like to recognize the students, teachers, administration, and community of West Mifflin for their dedication to improving the quality of education provided in West Mifflin and acting as an inspiration to this Council and the residents of Allegheny County.