Senate
JOHN A. JOHNSON
ACHIEVEMENT PLUS
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA
Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I rise today to honor John A.
Johnson Achievement
Plus Elementary
School, in Saint
Paul, Minnesota,
which recently earned an Award for Excellence in Education for its exceptional
and innovative achievements in educating children.
John
A. Johnson
Elementary School is
truly a model of educational success. A
state-of-the-art community school, it was the first recipient of the Richard W.
Riley Award for Excellence in Community Schools, which is conferred by the
Knowledge Works Foundation, a public education philanthropy in Ohio. John A. Johnson Elementary, which serves 320
children in kindergarten through grade six.
Was deemed the best community school in the Nation and won this
distinction merely four years after opening its doors.
As one of Minnesota’s
best-performing schools serving children of a predominantly low-income
population, Johnson has accumulated truly impressive academic accomplishments. For example, during the school’s first two
years of operation, 2000-2002, only 50 percent of the children tested average
or above average on standardized reading tests.
However, for the past two years, nearly 80 percent scored average or
above average.
Improvements in math scores at John A. Johnson Elementary
are equally remarkable. Last year,
standardized test scores in math were within two percentage points of the
district average. Only three years ago,
John A. Johnson pupils were 30 points below the district average.
John A. Johnson Elementary does more than teach children; it
is structured to assist families and reduce barriers to education that impede
children’s learning. The school
integrates support services by forming partnerships with many community
organizations and making these services available to help parents.
Much of the credit for John A. Johnson Achievement
Plus Elementary
School’s success belongs to its principal, Frank
Feinberg, and the dedicated teachers.
The students and staff at John
A. Johnson
Elementary School
understand that, in order to be successful, a school must go beyond achieving
academic success; it must also provide a nurturing environment where students
can develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for success throughout
life. All of the faculty, staff, and
students at John A. Johnson Achievement Plus
Elementary School should
be very proud of their accomplishments.
I congratulate John
A. Johnson
Elementary School in Saint Paul for winning
the Award for Excellence in Education and for its exceptional contributions to
education in Minnesota.
Below was the letter of application for the Senator Mark Dayton Education Award submitted in December, 2005.
John A. Johnson Achievement Plus Elementary School opened at the renovated site of the old Johnson High School in September of 2000. In the late 1990's, the Board of Education and the community had the vision of a new, high performing community school in the poorest section of Saint Paul (93% poverty index). The future success of the school would be determined by the academic record, the partnerships we developed with community agencies, and our ability to provide a “one stop shop” program for residents of the East Side.
After four years of operation, in August of 2004, we were awarded the Richard W. Riley Award for Excellence in Community Schools by the KnowledgeWorks Foundation in Ohio. We were judged to be the best community school in the nation.
As you will see on the enclosed KnowledgeWorks DVD, we have accomplished a great deal in the five years since we opened in September 2000.
The DVD does not make clear the academic accomplishments of our students and staff. As one of the highest performing poor schools in the state:
o JAJ has never failed to make the adequate yearly progress required by the No Child Left Behind legislation.
o In our first two years (2000 -2002), only 50% of our students tested in average or higher ranges on reading standardized tests. For the past two years, almost 80% scored in proficient or higher ranges.
o Recent standardized test scores in math are within two percentage points of the district average. Three years ago we were 30 points below the district average.
o None of our tested grade five students last year scored below proficiency on the writing Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) exams.
o Among same students tested as third graders (in 2003) and again as fifth graders (in 2005), the rate of proficiency on the MCA exams increased from 25% to 60% in reading and from 35% to 71% in math.
Our school mission reads: In partnership with parents and community, we will commit all our resources and efforts for all students to reach high academic standards and become contributing members of society. We continuously strive to create a culture where children understand effort based intelligence. They know “smart is not something you are, smart is something you become”. We continuously remind our students, you become smart by working hard. Children know they are here to learn.
School success, however, is measured by more than academic testing. We consistently score very high in all parent and client surveys. In response to the statement, “ I feel welcome at school”, 100% of parent respondents answered affirmatively. We know we are here to serve the community.
We have created a school that does more than teach students; we are structured to assist families and reduce barriers to education that impede student learning. Our school partners with many community organizations and our parents utilize the services available to them. In a recent survey, 86% of surveyed families had accessed one or more of our on-site services. Many of these special services and programs are highlighted on the DVD.
We would welcome an opportunity to discuss our school and its progress with you. Thank you for your consideration for the Recognition Awards to be presented by Senator Dayton.
Frank Feinberg, Principal
John A. Johnson Achievement Plus Elementary School
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