By Bill Grubb
News Editor

NASHVILLE - Keplar Elementary School is certainly not ranked among the biggest schools in Tennessee but it is among the best - with the paper work to prove it.
    Keplar, which usually has an enrollment of approximately100 students, is celebrating a year of recognition following five years of continuing academic achievement and improvement.  
    In December 2009 the school received the  Tennessee Title I Distinguished School award for "Closing the Achievement Gap," with a $1,000 award also going to the school.
    Recently school officials made another trip to Nashville to receive another award, the Value-Added Achievement Award, presented to  Principal Sandy Williams on the basis of the three year value-added gains in reading and math. The school also received a $3,000 award from the Education Consumers Foundation.
    Keplar Principal Sandy Williams, along with Director of Hawkins County Schools Charlotte Britton, Federal Projects Director Reba Bailey and Elementary Supervisor Beth Holt joined with Tennessee Department of Education representatives at an  April 26 ceremony sponsored by the Education Consumers Foundation to celebrate the latest recognition.
    The school is ranked first in the category of East Tennessee elementary schools and  second in the state among 771 elementary schools based on the mathematics, reading/language arts three year average value-added scores.
    The awards are based on test scores, particularly the improvement in the socio-economic groups.  Keplar, with a poverty rate of greater than 50 percent, has demonstrated high achievement rates for all their students, according to school system officials.
    In addition, the school has proven effectiveness in teaching and learning in the reading curriculum, using research-based instructional strategies in all classrooms, has shown many opportunities for all students to achieve, and has established partnerships with their parents, families and the community.
    "Teaching is a science," Williams said.  "It is our belief that education is not one size fits all."
    While accolades are coming to the school now, the work has been ongoing since 2003.  Staffers have been attending 90 hours of professional development each year of the six years involved in the Reading First initiative has been credited for conversion in the school culture.
    "The biggest factor in making changes to our school has been the willingness and openness of the staff to make needed changes.  Everyone has spent many extra hours working to learn new information, making immediate changes in the classroom," said Jacki Price, Keplar's Literacy Leader states.
    Observing visitors in the classrooms became common events as teachers from other schools in Hawkins County, Reading First state consultants, as well as the Keplar leadership sat in classes to observe new strategies used by the teachers and students.
    Williams noted that her students have taken "ownership for their achievement and have a higher expectation for themselves." Some of her students receive two and one-half hours of reading instruction a day,  giving every student that  opportunity to be successful. Many of those students attend school tutoring and the summer enrichment programs. Williams also said parent involvement is a key component of the school's success.
    "Parents are very proud of our accomplishment. They see day in and day out how hard our staff works to provide a quality education for their children," she explained.
    Price notes that Patty Rider, the Hawkins County Parent Engagement Coordinator has initiated activities that have helped parents become more knowledgeable about what their children need to know to be successful in school, and this has increased the actual involvement of the parents.
     "The kids come first," Williams said. "Academic growth is a success, no matter the degree of growth."
    Amber Davidson, 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year at Keplar, said she is glad to be a part of the faculty and credits Price with guiding the faculty for success of their students.
    "I feel honored to be a part of such a wonderful school," Davidson added.
    Dr. Julie McCargar, Executive Director of Federal Programs for Tennessee, applauded schools, such as Keplar, for setting high expectations for their students, plus giving them "the necessary tools and resources to reach those goals."  
    "These schools will serve as a model for the nation of what works so more students can benefit," McCargar said.