Celebrating continuing success on state tests, nearly 300 elementary and middle schools took home citations and cash yesterday, as the Maryland State Department of Education gave out its annual performance awards.
Eighty-three of those schools shared $2.75 million, with Baltimore County garnering the most -- $736,000 for 21 of its schools that have shown significant progress for at least two years.
Overall, 39 schools in the metropolitan area shared the wealth, with individual awards statewide ranging from $15,700 to $64,600. Only Frederick and Talbot counties had no schools receiving awards.
"You can take that to the bank," state Schools Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick told superintendents and principals as they tore through the purple and gold wrapping on the small boxes that held the checks.
"Days like this are extremely important. They remind us what is possible. You are here today because you are so successful," Grasmick told the 500 educators at Martin's Eastwind for the third annual awards. Governor Parris N. Glendening joined Grasmick in presenting the packages.
"It is in your schools and your classrooms that the future really takes place," the governor told the crowd. "I am pleased to give the recognition that you earned and that you deserve."
Glendening was instrumental in creating the recognition program, for which the General Assembly has allotted $2.75 million annually since 1996.
"I was certainly surprised over the money and the amount of money," said Victoria Waidner, principal of Mayo Elementary in Anne Arundel County. Her school's award is $21,430.
Waidner said a focus on writing, staff development, concentrated resources and a lot of hands-on materials are among the strategies Mayo has used to boost student achievement scores. In 1993, the first year the state counted MSPAP scores, her school met one standard, she said. Last year, it met nine out of 12 and rated excellent on six of them.
"It's magnificent. This is evidence of the excellent work being done," said Robert Booker, chief executive officer of the Baltimore City schools. He held two checks: $64,605 for Roland Park Middle School and $30,025 for Hilton Elementary. The schools decide how they will spend the money.
As a three-time winner, Perry Hall Middle School Principal Rick Archambault was pleased by his school's award, but not surprised. Archambault said previous awards have been used to buy textbooks, furniture and technology, and pay for summer programs.
This year, Perry Hall received $63,770, bringing its three-year total to nearly $195,000. Fullerton Elementary, also in Baltimore County, was the only other school in the state to receive a cash award all three years.
Schools showing statistically significant improvement -- based on an Education Department formula -- for at least two years received money awards. Schools making progress for one year were given citations. The amount schools received depended on their enrollment and the number of schools qualifying.
The formula takes into account scores on the annual Maryland School Performance Assessment Program tests, functional tests and attendance rates, which must average at least 94 percent.
The results of last spring's tests, to be released next month, were not a factor in yesterday's awards.
Top performers
The following schools in the metropolitan area received monetary awards:
Anne Arundel County
Mayo Elementary -- $21,430
Millersville Elementary -- $28,712
Rolling Knolls Elementary -- $23,022
Sunset Elementary -- $36,909
West Annapolis Elementary -- $21,788
Corkran Middle -- $47,295
Lindale/Brooklyn Park Middle -- $35,755
Southern Middle -- $49,325
Baltimore City
Hilton Elementary -- $30,025
Roland Park Middle -- $64,605
Baltimore County
Arbutus Elementary -- $31,537
Bear Creek Elementary -- $33,726
Bedford Elementary -- $25,330
Carroll Manor Elementary -- $24,494
Catonsville Elementary -- $35,159
Fifth District Elementary -- $25,927
Fort Garrison Elementary -- $31,259
Fullerton Elementary -- $31,100
Grange Elementary -- $31,617
Gunpowder Elementary -- $31,219
Middleborough Elementary -- $28,553
Oakleigh Elementary -- $32,731
Pinewood Elementary -- $33,646
Red House Run -- $31,816
Warren Elementary -- $29,667
Wellwood International Magnet -- $32,453
Golden Ring Middle -- $44,231
Hereford Middle -- $44,788
Holabird Middle -- $41,804
Perry Hall Middle -- $63,770
Pikesville Middle -- $51,553
Carroll County
Runnymede Elementary -- $31,498
Harford County
Abingdon Elementary -- $37,148
Church Creek Elementary -- $39,496
Aberdeen Middle -- $59,870
Fallston Middle -- $52,787
Howard County
Clarksville Elementary -- $27,717
Northfield Elementary -- $39,058
Talbott Springs Elementary -- $29,428
SOURCE: Maryland Department of Education.
Pub Date: 11/19/98