West Elementary School  receives Pre-K Center of Excellence designation

By Marlene J. Bohr
mbohr@steelcountrybee.com
 
West Elementary School pre-kindergarten has been recognized by the Texas Education Agency as being a Pre-K Center of Excellence.  This distinction is given to schools that prepare children for success in kindergarten by participating in the Kindergarten Readiness System.
The KRS is the state’s school readiness certification system authorized by Technology in Early Childhood that evaluates the effectiveness of prekindergarten, Head Start, and licensed child care programs in preparing children for kindergarten.  This review covers the 2012 school year and was generated as a result of the school’s participation in the Prekindergarten Early Start Grant or the Texas School Ready! Program.
West Elementary School was awarded certification under the program because the average Pre-K Impact Index was positive. The Pre-K Impact Index is the measurement that demonstrates students’ performance on their kindergarten reading assessment administered by their elementary school at the beginning of the child’s 2011 kindergarten year.  
In determining the impact a preschool has on improving student learning, the method adjusts for factors that are outside the control of the Pre-K program, such as student population characteristics or the specific literacy instrument used in kindergarten. In short, when a pre-kindergarten program’s students perform better than expected, then the facility has demonstrated a positive impact and qualifies for the Texas Education Agency’s “Pre-K Center of Excellence” designation.
“We have two Pre-K classes and also have Head Start,” Principal Lesia Lewis said. “Between the three classes, we have 58 students. We are proud of our students and teachers.”
Teachers at West Elementary School at Head Start and Pre-Kindergarten are Carolyn Brown, Pam Spann, and Dedra Crowder.
Superintendent Sandra Quarles said she is very pleased with the students and teachers at West Elementary.
“Daingerfield-Lone Star Independent School District is very pleased to be designated as a Pre-K Center of Excellence,” Mrs. Quarles said. “We truly recognize the impact that a quality Pre-K program has on a child’s education. This distinction shows that our Pre-K is giving our children the best start possible start when they enter kindergarten.
“Our mission is Preparing Students for Life from Pre-K Through Graduation.”