Dillsboro, Batesville Schools Earn 4 Stars

(Dillsboro, Ind.) - Four local schools have been awarded four stars from the Indiana Department of Education.

The department release its list of 2010-11 Four Star Schools on Wednesday. Out of 1,780 public schools across the state, only 162 earned the distinction.

Appearing on the list locally were Dillsboro Elementary, Batesville High School, Batesville Intermediate School, and Batesville Primary School.

“Today serves as an opportunity to recognize the great work of educators throughout Indiana,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett said. “These schools encourage a culture of high expectations for their students. The students and educators who meet these expectations on a daily basis should be extremely proud of this honor.”

To be considered a Four Star School, a school’s combined English 10 and Algebra 1 End of Course Assessment, or English/Language Arts and Math ISTEP+, passing percentages must fall into the top 25th percentile when compared to schools statewide. A school must also have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under the federal No Child Left Behind Act to qualify.

IDOE reviewed data for non-public schools and included the top non-public schools as honorees. Public schools and non-public schools had separate cut scores and were compared only to like schools. This means public schools were only compared to other public schools, and non-public schools were only compared to other non-public schools. The calculations were completely independent of one another.

For a list of all the 2010-11 Four Star Schools, go to www.doe.in.gov/student-services/accreditation/four-star-schools.