[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 100 (Wednesday, July 26, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S8263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MANKATO, MINNESOTA

 Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, today I honor Roosevelt Elementary 
School, in Mankato, MN, which recently earned an Award for Excellence 
in Education for its exceptional and innovative achievements in 
educating children.
  Roosevelt Elementary School is truly a model of educational success, 
in keeping with its mission: ``To Educate the Whole Child . . . For 
Life.''
  In 2005, the Minnesota Department of Education recognized Roosevelt 
Elementary as a five-star school in both reading and math, an 
achievement reached by less than 7 percent of all Minnesota schools. 
Another source of school pride is the significant progress made in 
these subjects over the past 7 years.
  In 1998, the math and reading scores of Roosevelt's third graders 
were well below the threshold necessary for the ``adequate yearly 
progress'' under the existing State standards. The average math score 
in 1998 was 1401, and the average reading score was 1361; an average of 
1420 was necessary for the State's ``adequate yearly progress'' 
designation. Thanks to a concerted ``team effort,'' to improve 
achievement, test scores have risen dramatically. In 2005, the average 
reading score was 1594, an increase of 193 points over the 1998 
average; the average math score was 1650, an increase of 289 points.
  The Roosevelt fifth graders showed similar gains. Their lowest 
average scores of 1408 in reading and 1395 in math occurred in 1999. In 
2005, the average reading score was 1719, an increase of 311 points; 
the average math score increased to 1641, an increase of 246 points.
  Roosevelt attributes its success to the strong team effort, involving 
teachers, administrators, and parents working closely together to set 
goals and objectives for the children.
  Another component of the success of all of Mankato's schools is the 
tremendous support from the community. Last fall, Mankato-area voters 
approved two referenda: to provide $6 million to update many existing 
buildings throughout the district and to provide $3.5 million over 7 
years to update the schools' technology. In 2002, voters approved a 
$2.5 million per year operating referendum.
  Much of the credit for Roosevelt Elementary School's success belongs 
to its principal, Rick Lund, and the dedicated teachers. The students 
and staff at Roosevelt Elementary School understand that, in order to 
be successful, a school must go beyond achieving academic success; it 
must also provide a nurturing environment where students can develop 
the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for success throughout life. All 
of the faculty, staff, and students at Roosevelt Elementary School 
should be very proud of their accomplishments.
  I congratulate Roosevelt Elementary School in Mankato for winning the 
Award for Excellence in Education and for its exceptional contributions 
to education in Minnesota.

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