Two Saline County schools recognized as outstanding

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Two county schools made the 2009 State Board of Education Honor Roll of outstanding schools.

Eldorado Middle School was chosen as a Spotlight School and Carrier Mills-Stonefort High School was chosen for an Academic Improvement Award.

Eldorado Middle School received the Spotlight School award after three years of more than 70 percent of students exceeding standards on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test. In 2009, 78 percent of pupils met or exceeded ISAT standards.

For a school to qualify for the Spotlight School award, over 50 percent of students must be considered low income - the award stresses high achievement in lower-income school districts. At EMS, 62.4 percent of pupils were considered low income in 2009.

EMS Principal Chris Morris attributes the school's success to a dedicated staff that keeps pupils engaged in the learning process.

"We've got really great teamwork between students and teachers," Morris said.

The school emphasizes small-group teaching and one-on-one sessions for pupils having problems. EMS also uses Auto Skills, a program that enables lower-achieving pupils to learn in different ways.

"And I think our Accelerated Reading program has been instrumental in helping our reading skills improve," Morris said.

EMS went from a traditional junior high to sixth, seventh and eighth graders several years ago.

Carrier Mills-Stonefort

Carrier Mills-Stonefort High School has experienced a big jump in Prairie State Achievement Examination scores since 2007. Last year, 41 percent of students met or exceeded standards; only 24 percent met the standards in 2007.

"We've seen a significant increase in scores, about a 15-point gain in the last two years," Superintendent Richard Morgan said.

"Some of the things we're doing curriculum-wise are starting to show up."

To improve math scores and math education, the district has started daily double-period classes for algebra 1/2, algebra 1 and geometry. The first half is a normal math lesson, but the second half of class is more hands-on, with review, math-related computer work or teacher assistance with homework, Morgan said.

"That's a big commitment by the board because you're increasing staff," Morgan said.

The high school has three math teachers, Clyde Hurley, David Klope and Marcie Gillespie, who teaches geometry.

The success in math also traces back to the work of junior high teacher Geoff Absher, Morgan said. The School Board is considering having Absher pick up fifth grade math next year in hopes of continuing the improvement in math scores.

Morgan said the entire faculty, not just math teachers, is working together on improving curriculum.

"It's nice to be recognized for the work all the faculty is putting in," Morgan said.