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Fayette Education Foundation Announces $1 Million Campaign
Lex., KY - May 3, 2005
Posted at 4:38 p.m. on December 11, 2005.The Fayette Education Foundation today announced its plans to raise $1 million to help the Fayette County Public Schools in the effort to create a world-class public school system. The Foundation kicked off its support today by rewarding and recognizing two schools that have succeeded in closing student achievement gaps while also raising overall academic achievement.
The Foundation, a private, non-profit corporation, was established to work in partnership with the Fayette County Public Schools. It has established a goal to raise $1 million by mid-2006 to reward and recognize best practices that result in enhanced student learning and close achievement gaps. In addition, the funds will be used to support innovative, research-based educationalopportunities so that those success stories may be modeled and repeated throughout the district.
James Lane Allen Elementary and Veterans Park Elementary schools were each awarded $5,000 today to be used to continue their successful efforts to close achievement gaps.
The Foundation, a private, non-profit corporation, was established to work in partnership with the Fayette County Public Schools. It has established a goal to raise $1million by mid-2006 to reward and recognize best practices that result in enhanced student learning and close achievement gaps. In addition, the funds will be used to support innovative, research-based educational opportunities so that those success stories may be modeled and repeated throughout the district.
“We want to support our public schools by recognizing and rewarding them for working diligently to help all students reach their highest academic potential, said Steve Byars, Chairman of the Fayette Education Foundation. “Today is the first of our efforts to support excellent teaching and student performance. We plan to do much more of this in the future.”
James Lane Allen and Veterans Park schools are being recognized because of their results on the state accountability and testing system, widely known as CATS. Both of these schools eliminated achievement disparities between different groups of students, while raising overall performance and meeting high standards. To qualify for this recognition, schools must have narrowed more than 80 percent of existing achievement gaps, earned an academic index of 70 or higher on CATS and either posted a 10 or more point gain ineither reading or math, or have reading math scores above 90.
The Fayette Education Foundation has several goals, which were outlined at today‘s kick-off news conference and celebration at James Lane Allen Elementary School.
Other foundation goals include:
-Be champions for adequate resources for the Fayette County Public Schools.
-Enhance community awareness by highlighting student achievement and innovative educational programs.
-Raise funds and mobilize resources to support innovative, research-based educational opportunities.
The foundation is comprised of business and community leaders and educators who recognize the importance of a high quality public school system and are passionate in their belief that all students deserve the opportunity to reach their highest academic potential.
"As we move forward with the 2020 Vision project in our quest to be a leading school district in our nation, the foundation is a critical partner in that effort," said Stu Silberman, Superintendent of the Fayette County Public Schools. "We are truly blessed to have a community that is willing to step up and support our kids."