For the Reporter

Chinook Elementary has been named a State Title I Distinguished School, one of only two schools in the state being recognized, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction announced today.

A project of the National Title I Association, the State Title I Distinguished Schools Program publicly recognizes qualifying Title I schools for the outstanding academic achievements of their students. It highlights the efforts of schools across the country making significant improvements for their students.

The program has been in place since 1996, showcasing the success of hundreds of schools in one of two categories:

• Category 1: Exceptional student performance for two or more consecutive years

• Category 2: Closing the achievement gap between students

Chinook is recognized for closing the achievement gap in reading.

Title I is the cornerstone of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. It is the largest federally funded pre-college education program in the United States and provides funding to school districts across the country to aid in the education of economically disadvantaged students.

The National Title I Association is a membership organization made up of the Title I Directors from each of the states and territories, who are charged with managing their state Title I program to ensure compliance with federal regulations and to ensure that all children – especially those living in economically disadvantaged conditions – have the opportunity to receive a high quality education.