News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 18, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Kim Schmanke, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, 360-725-6015

Gov. Gary Locke, Superintendent of Public Instruction Honor Everett School as March 2004 ‘Reading School of the Month’

Gov. Gary Locke and Terry Bergeson, state superintendent of public instruction, today presented Madison Elementary School in Everett with the “Reading School of the Month” award for March 2004.

“Reading is the foundation of all academic success,” Locke told students. “No matter what you want to be when you grow up, you have to start by being a good reader. I am so proud of all the progress the students at Madison have made in reading. It’s a credit to your hard work, and to the hard work of your teachers, administrators and parents.”

Madison Elementary is above the state average percentages in all areas of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL). The school has made significant gains during the past three years. Forty seven percent of Madison students participate in the state’s free or reduced price lunch program.

“Schools selected for this award have done more than just raise the scores of their students,” Bergeson told students and teachers. “They’ve struck the right balance of a focus on instruction and providing an environment where the students and teachers feel supported and valued. Madison Elementary has an energy and excitement that’s all about helping students achieve their goals.”

The governor and the superintendent started the “Reading School of the Month” program in January 2002 to raise awareness about the importance of reading and learn how struggling schools made drastic changes to become exemplary reading schools.

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Related links: www.schoolofthemonth.org; www.governor.wa.gov; www.k12.wa.us;




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