"We're certainly proud to have again made AYP for ... the 10th consecutive year," CPS Principal Walter Gordon said.
The primary school marked its decade-long tradition of making AYP and eight years of Title I distinction by receiving $1,530. The middle school was recognized for seven years of AYP and five years of Title I distinction by receiving a certificate.
"We'll use the money to continue professional development at our school and to improve the education of our students," Gordon said.
Calls to CMS were not returned by press time.
Title I Distinguished Schools that have made AYP for three consecutive years are awarded a certificate, while those who have made AYP eight or more years receive a monetary award, paid for out of federal funds. Title I Distinguished Schools have made AYP at least three years in a row.
State School Superintendent John Barge named 824 Georgia Title I Distinguished Schools and four Title I Distinguished Districts.
"These schools are showing that high expectations, coupled with effective educators in the building, produce outstanding student achievement," Barge said in a press release. "I'm very pleased to recognize the educators, students and parents in these schools and school districts."
Title I schools have significant populations of students who are economically disadvantaged and receive federal money to assist with the education of their students. Of the 824 Georgia Title I Distinguished Schools, there are two National Title I Distinguished Schools.
"With the academic bar increasing each year, it is not easy to continue making AYP," Barge said. "These 824 schools have proven that it can be done even when there are challenges."
Title I Distinguished Districts
The four Title I Distinguished Districts recognize school systems in different size categories -- Large District, Medium District, Small District and Very Small District. The awarded districts have closed the achievement gap the most between economically disadvantaged students and students who are not economically disadvantaged in each category. The results of the Reading, English Language Arts and Mathematics portions of the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests and the Georgia High School Graduation Tests are used to determine achievement.
The 2011-2012 Title I Distinguished Districts
* Large District: Spalding County
* Medium: Carrollton City
* Small District: Ben Hill County
* Very Small District: Chickamauga City
The winning districts each received $50,000 from federal funds.
National Title I Distinguished Schools
The National Title I Distinguished Schools program recognizes two schools that receive Title I funding. One school is recognized for closing the achievement gap between economically disadvantaged students and students that are not economically disadvantaged. The other school is recognized for exceeding the benchmarks required to make AYP. The CRCT and GHSGT results in reading, English language arts and mathematics are used to determine the winning schools.
The two National Title I Distinguished Schools are:
* Closing the Gap: Brooks County Middle, Brooks County
* Meets and Exceeds Performance: Fayette Middle School, Fayette County
Each school received $15,000 in addition to their FY11 Title I Distinguished Schools allocation.