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XCS commended by Ohio Board of Ed.

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XENIA — The Xenia Community School District Monday was named a recipient of the inaugural Momentum Awards, given by the Ohio State Board of Education.

The award recognizes districts that received As on every value-added measure on Ohio’s school and district report cards.

According to a letter sent to Superintendent Denny Morrison, the district is “part of an elite group of districts that are supporting the academic growth of students from every background and ability level. Your report card for the 2014-2015 school year showed that your district ensured that its pupils received a year’s worth of academic growth in reading and mathematics.”

Xenia is one of 53 districts to receive the award, joining Fairborn from Greene County. Only four other districts from the Dayton metro area were recognized.

“I think that it’s simply really outstanding,” said Director of Curriculum Sabrina Woodruff. “I know that it’s quite rare. I’m really proud.”

Value added measures growth fourth through eighth-grade students are achieving in reading and mathematics in a year’s time. Enrollment is divided into four groups or measures: All students; gifted students; the lowest 20 percent in achievement; and students with disabilities. To receive an A, a group of students must make more than a year’s growth.

“What this tells is that no matter what achievement level, our teachers are growing those students,” Woodruff said. “Not only are we able to to do that with our general education students but with our subgroups. Really all the way around, optimizing our students at every level and helping them be successful.”

The district also administers the Measures of Academic Progress assessment three times a year.

“All of our buildings … also did very well in measuring growth,” Woodruff said. “When we look at how students grew this year from fall to spring, we also saw similar growth.”

The results and the award helps validate the efforts of the district in making sure every child has a chance to be successful.

“Everyone is working together,” Morrison said. “Our staff is working hard, teaching kids how they learn best and making sure that every child feels valued and appreciated.”

By Scott Halasz

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Contact Scott Halasz at 937-502-4507.