LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC EDUCATION PAGE 4
Anoka-Hennepin’ s 2015-16 Above & Beyond Award winners announced
Anoka-Hennepin ' s 2016 Above & Beyond Award winners, from left, Joan Spehar, Gretchen Wibben, Derek Williamson, Marie Martineau, Linda Anderson, Colleen Heier, Brian Ross, Karla Haij, and Jon Mathisen.
Nine outstanding district employees have been selected as the Anoka-Hennepin School District’ s 2015-16 Above & Beyond Award winners. They are:
• Linda Anderson, director of student services, Educational Service Center.
• Karla Haij, English and theater teacher, Coon Rapids High School.
• Colleen Heier, special education paraeducator, Roosevelt Middle School.
• Marie Martineau, third grade teacher, Wilson Elementary School.
• Jon Mathisen, school resource officer, Andover High School.
• Brian Ross, industrial technology teacher, Coon Rapids Middle School.
• Joan Spehar, physical education teacher, Champlin Park High School.
• Gretchen Wibben, reading teacher, Coon Rapids Middle School.
• Derek Williamson, fourth grade teacher, Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts.
Award winners and their guests were recognized at an award ceremony Wednesday, April 27. For more information, visit anoka. k12. mn. us / abovebeyond.
The Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation( AHEF) and the Anoka- Hennepin School District sponsor the Above & Beyond Awards program jointly. Its mission is to recognize outstanding employees for innovation, creativity, caring and commitment. Award recipients were nominated by parents, students and colleagues and were selected by a panel of community representatives, staff and principals. ■
Anoka-Hennepin graduation rates soar
The Anoka-Hennepin School District’ s graduation rate jumped more than 4 percent in 2015, continuing a dramatic upward trend that began four years ago.
In 2015, 86 percent of Anoka-Hennepin high school seniors graduated on time, which is a substantial 4 percent increase from the 82 percent who earned their diplomas on time in 2014. What’ s more, since 2012, the district’ s graduation numbers have jumped 10 points, from 76 percent, and all student subgroups are earning diplomas at rates better than state averages.
“ This marks the fourth straight year we’ ve seen growth in the number of students earning their diplomas on time in Anoka-Hennepin,” Superintendent David Law said.“ Not only are we preparing our students for life, but we are increasingly ensuring all students graduate.”
In 2015, the graduation rate for Hispanic / Latino students jumped more than 10 percent, and rates for Asian / Pacific Islander students increased more than 7 percent. The graduation rate for African-American students as well as white students also made large gains.
In addition, the graduation rate for students eligible for free and reduced lunch rose more than 8 percent in 2015. For perspective, approximately 31 percent of Anoka-Hennepin seniors are eligible for free and reduced lunch.
“ It’ s wonderful news and a moment of pride for the hard working staff in Anoka-Hennepin’ s schools,” Law said.“ But there’ s still work to do— work that we’ re looking forward to doing.”
For more information on statewide graduation rates, visit the Minnesota Department of Education’ s website. ■
Anoka-Hennepin earns national acclaim, named to AP’ s‘ honor roll’
The Anoka-Hennepin School District has been named to the Advanced Placement( AP) Honor Roll for increasing the number of students taking AP courses while also maintaining or increasing exam scores.
Just 425 school districts in the U. S. and Canada, and 13 in the state of Minnesota, earned a spot on the honor roll. Anoka- Hennepin also made the honor roll in 2011.
The Anoka-Hennepin School District has been working diligently to increase participation in advanced-level courses, according to Jeff McGonigal, associate superintendent for high school education.
“ Our goal is to have all our students college-ready after their senior year,” he said.“ That doesn’ t mean we believe all students should attend a four-year college necessarily. Instead, it means all our students are ready for any number of post-secondary options, including trades, technical training, certificate programs, and college. Advanced courses boost student’ s preparation for post-secondary learning.”
Being named to the AP honor roll is an indication Anoka-Hennepin is on the right track, McGonigal said.
“ This award is one indicator that our efforts have been valuable,” he said.“ We’ ve been working hard to increase the academic outcomes for all students.”
AP courses are a large part of Anoka- Hennepin’ s advanced curriculum, McGonigal said, but not the only one.
The Anoka-Hennepin School District is one of just 425 in the nation to be named to the Advanced Placement Honor Roll.
“ We also have concurrent college courses, post-secondary enrollment options( PSEO), and at Champlin Park High School, and International Baccalaureate program,” he said.“ With the addition of our Secondary Technical Education Program [ STEP ], we offer a very complete advanced program to our students.”
Specifically, the AP honor roll recognizes districts that are able to maintain or improve the rate at which students earn scores of three or higher on their AP course exams. Exams are scored on a scale of one to five— with five being the best— and gauge whether a student knows enough about a topic to allow them to skip an equivalent college course.
In Anoka-Hennepin, participation in AP classes increased more than 4 percent, including increases among African American, Hispanic / Latino, and American Indian / Alaska Native students. ■