[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 134 (Thursday, December 7, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11491-S11492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            WOODBURY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, WOODBURY, MINNESOTA

 Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, today I wish honor Woodbury Senior 
High School, in Woodbury, MN, which will soon receive an Award for 
Excellence in Education for its exceptional and innovative achievements 
in educating children.
  Woodbury Senior High School is truly a model of educational success. 
This large, suburban high school has consistently ranked above the 
national and State averages in ACT test scores and Minnesota 
Comprehensive Assessment scores and has been designated as a five-star 
school in reading and math by the Minnesota Department of Education for 
2 years in a row. Schools receiving the five-star status are few and 
far between: Last year, 11 schools in the Twin Cities metropolitan area 
qualified for this status; this year, only 8 metro-area schools 
qualified. These scores show that top students continue to grow 
academically and also that all students continue to perform well above 
expectations.
  Success at Woodbury High does not occur without the hard work and 
dedication of all students and staff. In addition to their classroom 
responsibilities, the teaching staff at Woodbury High are engaged in 
professional learning communities. Teachers meet in groups each week to 
study student learning and compare test scores and other objective data 
to determine areas of need. Then each group discusses best practices 
for teaching, in order to improve all students' learning. These 
professional learning communities have resulted in better course 
grades, as well as improved test scores on state and national measures 
of student proficiency.
  Course work calls for high standards of performance at all levels. 
For advanced learners, Woodbury High offers advanced placement classes 
in English, mathematics, science, and social studies. The staff is 
working to develop more AP classes to meet students' needs. Each year, 
more than 250 AP tests are given in the school, with better than 75 
percent of these students qualifying for college credit. This rigor 
translates into ACT scores above the State and national averages. Last 
year, Woodbury High students averaged a composite score of 23.5 on the 
ACT test. Students requiring more academic attention may enter the 
Program for Success in grades 10, 11, and 12 in order to earn credit 
for on-the-job experience along with academic credits. These classes 
are kept small and are taught by teachers who take personal 
responsibility for their students' success.

[[Page S11492]]

  Woodbury High is working to fulfill the District goal of giving all 
students an opportunity for excellence. With championship athletic 
teams and arts programs generating high-quality productions, students 
are stretched to reach their potential inside and outside the 
classroom. The Woodbury High girls soccer team has won the State 
championship during 3 of the past 4 years. The adapted soccer team and 
girls basketball team have also won State championships during the past 
several years. Excellence in education is the daily goal of teachers, 
administrators, and students at Woodbury High School.
  Much of the credit for Woodbury Senior High School's success belongs 
to its principal, Linda Plante, and the dedicated teachers. The 
students and staff at Woodbury Senior High 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 Woodbury Senior High 
School should be very proud of their accomplishments.
  I congratulate Woodbury Senior High School in Woodbury for winning 
the Award for Excellence in Education and for its exceptional 
contributions to education in Minnesota.

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