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TUSD schools honored as Higher Performing Schools by national group -
University High School among those receiving top accolades

Eleven Tucson Unified School District schools have been honored as Higher Performing Schools by the National Center for Educational Achievement (NCEA).

This distinction was awarded through the Achieving College and Career Readiness initiative sponsored by the Arizona Business and Education Coalition (ABEC) in partnership with the Arizona Department of Education and NCEA.

The guiding question asked in assessing schools is "Which schools are preparing students better than expected?" Researchers use a statistical model that looks at the school's performance on the state assessment (AIMS, in Arizona) and focuses on analysis, which examines prior year student achievement.

University High School was one of 13 schools in Arizona – and the only one in Southern Arizona – to be named a 2011 "All Subject" Higher Performing School. To be rated as an "All Subject" Higher Performing School, students must meet the criteria in all content areas and all grades tested.

"Our students are challenged by a rigorous curriculum and supported by phenomenal teachers," says UHS Principal Elizabeth Moll.  "This award acknowledges that we not only provide excellent educational opportunities but also support students in pursuit of higher education and successful careers."  

In addition to University High's distinction as an "All Subject" Higher Performing School, 10 TUSD elementary schools were named 2011 Arizona Higher Performing Schools for specific areas of performance.

"Nearly 15 percent of our schools that serve elementary students were recognized for improving student achievement," says Maggie Shafer, TUSD's Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools.  "Our schools are focusing on the right work by raising the level of rigor in our classrooms.  We expect more schools to produce even better outcomes in more subject areas in the years to come."

Elementary schools honored for their performance:

  • Henry Elementary (growth in writing)
  • CE Rose Elementary (performance in mathematics, performance in reading, growth in writing)
  • Fruchthendler Elementary (growth in writing)
  • Holladay Intermediate Magnet (performance in reading)
  • Howell Elementary (growth in writing)
  • Hughes Elementary (growth in writing)
  • Tully Elementary (growth in writing)
  • Van Buskirk Elementary (growth in science)
  • Sewell Elementary (growth in writing)
  • Wheeler Elementary (growth in writing)

For more information about the Higher Performing Schools initiative, see NCEA's Web site (http://www.nc4ea.org/) and ABEC's Web site (http://www.azbec.org/hpsr.html).