House Concurrent Resolution 102

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL FOR BEING RECOGNIZED AS A "STAR SCHOOL" BY

THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

WHEREAS, Columbia High School has earned the "Star School" designation by the Mississippi Department of Education as ranking in the top ten percent of Mississippi High Schools in 2011, and achieving the Star designation means that Columbia High School is performing above the national average; and

WHEREAS, Columbia School District Superintendent Dr. Marietta W. James and Columbia High School Principal Sheila W. Burbridge led the students, faculty and parents in a celebration of their "Star School" achievement on September 23, 2011; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Education adopted the new performance labels for schools and districts under Mississippi's accountability model in 2010, and under this new model, student performance is measured on more rigorous curriculums and assessments; and

WHEREAS, also under the new accountability model, schools and school districts receive performance classification labels from highest to lowest: Star, High-Performing, Successful, Academic Watch, Low-Performing, At-Risk of Failing, and Failing; and

WHEREAS, Columbia High School received the Mississippi State Accountability rating of "Star School" for 2011, based on the following criteria: Quality of Distribution Index, which is a representation of the distribution of student test scores in the various statewide assessments; High School Completion Index; Graduation Rate, which is a representation of the percentage of students who graduate from high school based on a cohort group of when students entered ninth grade; and Growth Status, which is representative of the measurement tool that predicts that students are not only performing well on subject area tests, but are constantly increasing their learning from one year to the next; and

WHEREAS, from the new Mississippi accountability rating standards, Columbia High School impressed the State Board of Education by meeting its Growth Status goal and achieving the following scores: Quality of Distribution Index of 204; High School Completion Index of 233; and Graduation Rate of 85.50%; and

WHEREAS, Columbia High School has accomplished a "Star School" rating with a very diverse student population, comprised of the following statistics: 48% female and 52% male; 50% African American, 1% Asian American and 49% Caucasian; a population below the poverty level of approximately 60%; and free and reduced lunch population of over 72%; and

WHEREAS, in addition, Columbia High School is a well-rounded

school with many accomplishments, including: academic excellence; band state champions; baseball state champions; cheerleading state champions; tennis state champions; and high performing athletes in track, powerlifting, archery and football; and

WHEREAS, the mission of Columbia High School is to provide all students with the opportunity to acquire the skills necessary to lead productive lives in a constantly evolving and increasingly complicated world; and

WHEREAS, Columbia High School has a total enrollment of 525 students, and its outstanding administrators are as follows: Dr. Marietta W. James, Superintendent; Sheila W. Burbridge, Principal; Sydney Mire, Assistant Principal; Bruce Ratcliff, Administrative Assistant and Athletic Director; and Cathy Creel, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Testing; and

WHEREAS, although the quality of education in Mississippi is improving, we must remember that schools and districts across the country are also improving, and in this competitive global economy, the administrators, teachers and students at Columbia High School have worked extremely hard to make the significant gains reflected by this state; and

WHEREAS, this year's accountability results indicate that the changes in the quality of education received by Mississippi students are positive changes, and signals that the education system in Mississippi is moving in the right direction; and

WHEREAS, overall, Columbia High School has achieved success in various categories with such a diverse population, proving that if our state's students have caring teachers and administrators that will constantly inspire, motivate, encourage, promote high expectations for their performance and hold Mississippi's students accountable, all of Mississippi's youth can achieve a great education through the school systems in this great state; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding schools that have achieved high ratings such as that earned by Columbia High School:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Columbia High School and Principal Sheila W. Burbridge for being recognized as a "Star School" by the Mississippi Department of Education and extend best wishes to the students, teachers, school administrators and parents on this auspicious occasion.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Columbia High School Principal Sheila W. Burbridge, Columbia School District Superintendent Dr. Marietta W. James, the Mississippi Department of Education and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.