Two Altus elementary schools win Oklahoma Academic Achievement awards Published Jan. 25, 2008 By Valerie Roberts Altus Public Schools ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Teachers at L. Mendel Rivers Elementary School here and Sunset Elementary School, in Altus, will be receiving bonus checks from the State of Oklahoma, as a result of a program that rewards teachers who work in schools with the highest Academic Performance Index scores or that make the most sizable API gains in one year. The State Department of Education annually calculates an API score (on a scale ranging from 0 to 1500) for each public school by factoring in the school's student success on state achievement tests and its attendance rates. For secondary sites, dropout and graduation rates are also factored in, as well as ACT scores and participation, Advanced Placement credit, and college remediation rates in reading and mathematics. The bonus program, called the Oklahoma Academic Achievement Award program was expanded this year, pursuant to House Bill 1593 of last year. "This is the kind of merit program that enjoys much support among school leaders across the state because it rewards teams of teachers whose instructional efforts result in both top-caliber academic performance and significant academic gains in one year," State Superintendent Sandy Garrett said. "I often share that teachers don't become teachers with any expectation of making a big salary. However, like all professionals, definitely should be recognized and rewarded when they go the extra mile for their students." The AAA program rewards teachers in schools with the top four highest API scores (based on all students, including special education and English as a Second Language) in five different groups based on school size. The program also rewards teachers working in schools with the top four most improved API scores in the same five groups. L. Mendel Rivers Elementary School, located on Altus Air Force Base, earned the third highest API score of all Oklahoma schools in Group Four, for schools having between 346 and 505 students. All certified staff working at the school during the 2006-07 school year will receive $1,000 bonuses for their third-place finish. Rivers' API score for all students was 1447. Only 20 schools in the state received the Academic Achievement Awards based on earning the top API scores for all students. In addition, the AAA bonus program rewards $3,000 to all teachers who work in schools with perfect API scores based on regular education students. Sunset Elementary School of Altus earned this distinction, and all certified staff who worked at the school during the 2006-07 school year will be receiving the $3,000 bonuses. Only 23 schools in Oklahoma earned perfect 1500 API scores for regular education students. There are 1,849 schools in Oklahoma, according to the State Department of Education. The state average API score was 1252 for regular education students in 2007. Bob Drury, superintendent of Altus Public Schools, attributes the success of Rivers and Sunset Elementary Schools to many things, including excellent teachers and involved parents. "We were very pleased when we received word from the State Department that Rivers and Sunset Elementary Schools were among the highest achieving school sites in the state," he said. "We, of course, realize that earning this distinction doesn't just happen, but is the result of a cumulative effort. It takes good principals, outstanding certified and support staff members, very supportive parents, and students who work together to give their best efforts on the state exams."