[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 177 (Wednesday, December 19, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             PAYING TRIBUTE TO SOUTHEAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

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                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 18, 2001

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Southeast Elementary School for earning the Golden Apple Award for 
educational excellence.
  The annual Golden Apple Award is awarded by Governor John Engler for 
improved scores in the 4th and 5th grades on the Michigan Education 
Assessment Program, which test the sections of math, science, reading, 
and writing. Schools must attain a 60-point increase over three year 
period to receive the honor.
  Last year 54 percent of the students successfully passed the reading 
portion of the MEAP test compared to 77.3 this year. Also, 74 percent 
of the students passed the math portion last year compared to 90.7 this 
year.
  The advances by Southeast Elementary School were a result of 
aggressively employing strategies to help students who placed in the 
bottom 20-30 percent for the MEAP. Southeast employed dozens of 
teachers, tutors, and volunteers in a 6-8 week program last winter. The 
program students focused on reading, writing, math, and science on a 
daily basis. Further, the school utilized a full-time literacy leader 
to concentrate on English skills and an educator to concentrate in 
math. Both programs centered on working with small groups or 
individuals to help the students improve in the areas in which they 
were lacking in.
  Therefore Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask my colleagues to join me in 
paying tribute to Southeast Elementary School for earning the Golden 
Apple Award. I salute their commitment to teaching our nations future 
leaders and commend each educators commitment to teaching these 
important skills.

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