School honored for testing in top 10%
NASHVILLE — Burchfield Elementary School has been honored by the Tennessee Dept. of Education for scoring in the top 10% of all schools in the state on academic tests in 2008.
The Dept. of Education recognized 27 Title I elementary schools across the state that tested in the top 10% despite “pervasive disadvantages among students.”
Title I schools are those that receive targeted federal funding due to high numbers or percentages of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
“This tremendous achievement shows that Title I schools with high percentages of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds can still meet high standards,” said Dr. Julie McCarger, Tennessee Executive Director of Federal Programs.
Burchfield was one of just three elementary schools in the region to be honored by the state. Pine Haven Elementary in Fentress County and Hilham Elementary in Overton County were also recognized.
School principal Randy Shelton said the distinction was a credit to the entire school community.
“This is a credit to these teachers, the students, parents, grandparents and this entire community,” he said.
Each of the school’s on the state’s list were honored for meeting the federal Annual Yearly Progress benchmarks required by the No Child Left Behind Act for at least the past two years.
In December, Burchfield was nationally recognized as one of two recipients in Tennessee of a Title I award. That award will be received at the National Title I Conference in San Antonio, Tex., later this month.