The Mineola School District was named a recipient of the American School Board Journal’s Magna Awards for 2015 on March 5. Mineola will be cited, along with the other winning programs, in a special section of the April issue of American School Board Journal. The district will also be recognized at the School Leaders Luncheon during the NSBA Annual Conference in Nashville today.
Selected by a panel of judges, the award showcases programs and projects that are examples of innovation and excellence in school governance. Mineola was chosen for its Stopping the Summer Slide program, which received an honorable mention by the publication.
Stopping the Summer Slide is a summer iPad extension program that is instrumental in advancing student learning during summer months and emphasizing the need to provide equitable programs for all students while respecting and enhancing the unique gifts of every child. Through the use of the district’s iPad initiative, teachers were able to leverage various applications to create a low-cost, high-interest, interactive “virtual summer school” for all students.
A survey of students found that 83 percent of participants felt the iPad experience better prepared them for the start of the school year and comparisons of their NWEA scores from spring to fall support the purpose of the program.
“Extending the school day and school year is critical in closing the achievement gap,” Patricia Burns, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and assessment, said in her award application. “The program is a great example of using technology to help solve long-standing issues in public education and can be an exemplar across the country.”
Submissions for the award were judged on the program’s capability of being replicated by other school boards, its successfulness in view of the program’s primary objectives, its support by the Board and its importance in promoting the district’s mission and advancing student learning.
