[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 18805]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING SOJOURNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I wish to congratulate the 
exceptional educators at Sojourner Elementary School of Milwaukie, OR. 
Last week, Intel Corporation named Sojourner the ``Star Innovator'' 
among six winners of the 2008 Intel Schools of Distinction Awards and 
among hundreds of applicants who entered the competition.
  Intel Corporation chose Sojourner Elementary because of its 
groundbreaking teaching strategies in mathematics and the marked 
improvement of its young math students. Oregon State Assessment data 
indicate that mathematics achievement at Sojourner has steadily 
improved over the past 4 years. Sojourner uses an innovative ``team 
teaching'' approach. At each level, at least one teacher completes 
additional coursework and training in mathematics. This ongoing 
professional development has resulted in teachers specializing in 
content and academic knowledge in mathematics.
  Increasingly, technology is playing an important role in the 
classroom, and teachers at Sojourner are using it effectively to excite 
and engage students. Computers at Sojourner are equipped with the 
software necessary to complete computer-based units from the school's 
math curriculum, and teachers are trained to implement these units. 
With Intel's Star Innovator award, Sojourner Elementary will receive 
additional funds, products, and services to continue its unique 
program.
  Sojourner also involves parents in the learning process, a proven 
strategy for improving the performance of young students. Newsletters 
produced at each level inform parents as to the specific content in 
class so that parents can provide appropriate support at home. All 
families have math ``kits'' at home so that students can continue to 
develop ideas at the conceptual level. Families also have access to the 
district Web site, where the online Student Learning Center provides 
valuable resources for practice activities at a variety of levels.
  In the field of education, there is no single path to success. That 
is why it is important to highlight those programs like Sojourner's 
that are successful and reward their efforts. Intel's work in promoting 
mathematics and science education comes at a critical time when America 
needs more engineers and more mathematicians to stay competitive in a 
globalizing economy. I am grateful to the teachers at Sojourner 
Elementary who have worked so hard to set a new standard in math 
education and that Intel has taken on the responsibility of awarding 
these remarkable achievements. Our Nation benefits tremendously from 
sharing these best practices, and I am proud to honor the exceptional 
work that Sojourner Elementary is doing to educate our Nation's 
children and the future leaders of America.

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