COMMENDATIONS

The Marion County School District is commended for the following programs and practices:

1. Student achievement in college preparation as measured on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) at an average score of 1012, which surpasses both the mean of 950 and the effectiveness level of 986.

2. Student achievement in college preparation as measured on the American College Test (ACT) at an average score of 20.8, which exceeds both the mean of 18.4 and the effectiveness level of 20.4.

3. Percent of students taking Advanced Placement culminating examinations or participating in dual enrollment programs with local institutions of higher education.

4. The quality of the principals and the staff in the school buildings visited. Their dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to the educational process were obvious through observations of the building program, the human interactions, and the overall environment.

5. The interdisciplinary technology education programs at Fort King Middle School (Technosphere Lab) and Forest High School (EDMIT).

6. The high degree of student and staff utilization of educational television, a totally networked system within buildings throughout the school district.

7. Well-qualified personnel supporting the district's media centers.

8. The establishment of assistant principalships in every building to provide administrative and instructional support.

9. Initiatives to raise outside funds such as a grant writer employed to acquire external funding.

10. The use of certificated staff in the pre-kindergarten program to enhance the school district's initiative to improve kindergarten readiness.

11. International baccalaureate program providing outstanding academic opportunities for 350 college-bound students.

12. The "Renaissance Card" program which acknowledges and rewards students for academic performance and attendance.

13. The "Storefront" drop-out recovery program.

14. The career preparation model, a comprehensive district-wide plan representing a continuum of opportunities in academics, tech-prep, and traditional vocational offerings. The applied technology curriculum, which is a component of this model, represents increased expectations for high achievement, and is to be commended.

15. The implementation of the ABACUS program to enable any staff to monitor individual student academic progress over the course of their association with the district. Implementing this management system offers great assistance in planning for the improvement of not only the individual child's education but for the advancement of curriculum and overall instruction as well.