News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 12, 2002
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke, Superintendent of Public Instruction Bergeson announce February’s Reading School of the Month

UNION GAP – Gov. Gary Locke and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson today named Union Gap School as the Washington State Reading School of the Month for February.

Locke and Bergeson today presented the award to Jean Hawkins, Union Gap School principal, and congratulated students, parents, teachers, staff and administrators for their outstanding results in increasing reading proficiency, implementing effective practices in reading and improving overall academic achievement.

“Education reform is working,” said Locke. “Reading is the key to all other academic achievement and Union Gap School’s improvement in student achievement is truly impressive.”

Reading is a top priority at Union Gap School. While only 20.8 percent of its fourth-grade students met the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) reading standards in 1996-97, that percentage jumped to 62.5 percent in 2000-01.

“We must share these success stories so all of our schools can improve and all of our students can meet high academic standards,” said the governor. “Good reading skills help begin a lifetime of success. Our very future depends on our commitment to the education of our young people.”

“The teamwork and unity of Union Gap School is a model for success,” said Bergeson. “This school and this community have come together around reading and made a commitment to excellence. This honor is to be shared by everyone -- by teachers, staff, students, parents and volunteers alike.”

Each school selected for reading excellence will be featured on the Washington State Reading School of the Month Web site (www.schoolofthemonth.org), which was developed through a donation from Verizon Reads. The site will highlight the reading and school improvement plans for each month’s featured school.
Related Links:
- Washington State Reading School of the Month
- Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction


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