State achievement awards spotlight local districts

Three local schools were honored recently for their work in ensuring all students graduate with a full set of skills, regardless of their societal standing.

Colton, LaCrosse and Garfield/Palouse were among 174 schools given Washington Achievement Awards for improving student performance on WASL scores and graduation rates.

“It’s a real neat honor for our kids and our teachers and our whole community,” said Nate Smith, Colton superintendent and principal.

The awards signify schools which have closed the “achievement gap” which state school officials define as the problem in ensuring students from low-income families perform as well as their peers.

Administrators at each of the three schools cited low student-to-teacher ratios as being the key to closing that gap.

“It’s not really a matter of income levels,” said Principal Doug Curtis of LaCrosse. “We’re such a small school that it’s hard to slip through the cracks.”

“That’s the advantage of being in a small community,” said Palouse Supt. Bev Fox. “Everyone is so closely knit, that parents, teachers and even fellow students can help make sure every one of our kids has whatever support they need.”

In addition, all three credited their teaching staff for making sure the needs of all students are met.

“Our teachers are just willing to put in extra time,” said Curtis, noting the work teachers often put in with students during lunch breaks and after school.

Not only were those three schools honored for their achievement, but Whitman County on the whole ranked atop the state in student achievement.

“We were really excited that we were recognized,” said Curtis. “But even more, we were excited that Whitman County was the top performing county in the state.”

“I think that says an awful lot about how well kids can do in small schools,” said Smith. “That individual attention really makes a difference.”