On Dec. 17, 2013, the Springdale School District received a Race to the Top grant from the United States Department of Education in the amount of $25.9 million. That money was granted to the district to support, deepen and expand the outstanding educational initiatives put in place by Springdale teachers, support staff, parents, administrators and community partners.
The stakeholders of the Springdale school system have worked passionately and in partnership for years to teach all students to high levels of learning. It is our constant mission to “teach them all” and — as we work together to accomplish that goal — to create a world-class system. As a district we are making excellent progress, and the selection of the Springdale School District as one of only five applicants nationwide to be awarded a grant under the Race to the Top program is a testament to the confidence the Department of Education has in the educational plan being implemented in the Springdale school system. Those additional resources will significantly assist in the deepening, strengthening and expansion of the educational initiatives under way.
The real winners here are Springdale students, Springdale families and the Springdale community as a whole. Our educational team is so privileged to be able to serve what we believe are the finest young people imaginable. It is so very special to be part of their educational experience — to see them grow, mature, compete, succeed, and on those occasions that they attempt a goal and come up short, to see them regroup and try again. Springdale kids love to compete and do so in every imaginable arena, and frankly, Springdale educators love to compete as well. It’s that “can do” spirit that permeates this region of the state, and certainly the community of Springdale, that has led to success after success. Our Springdale school system is a reflection of people in this community, and it takes each of us constantly and continuously investing in our youth to create the foundation for being able to qualify for rewards such as the Race to the Top grant. On behalf of a grateful Springdale educational team, I extend a heartfelt thank you to each of you for your continued support of Springdale students, teachers and the educational system as a whole.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Race to the Top program is designed to spur educational innovation and is steeped in the goal of improving dramatically the achievement of students. A personal educational plan will be put in place for each student with the intent of getting each student on grade level in reading by the end of the third grade and fluent in mathematics by the end of the fifth grade. Dramatic increases in literacy and numeracy will then set the stage for continuous improvement in academic achievement. New educational tools will be put in the hands of each student. IPads, Chrome Books and assistive technologies will become the norm to support each child. Expanded environmental and spatial technology programs will result. Parent academics will be established to assist with continuous-learning opportunities. Professional development for all teachers will assure the necessary capacity-building that will be required to genuinely teach all children to high levels of learning, and a special focus will be given to closing the experience gap for our most needy children.
As is evident, the landscape for public education in Springdale will change. We have had an excellent school system over time, but it is clear that our best work lies in front of us. The Race to the Top partnership with the U.S. Department of Education will facilitate significant change and dramatic improvement in student achievement, staff and parental readiness, and the personalization of learning.
The Springdale School District is and always will be committed to providing educational excellence for each child. We have done that through excellent teaching and strong school-community partnerships. I thank each parent and patron of this community for helping create a school system that attracts others to us and causes them to invest with us in a continuing effort to provide the very best in educational opportunities for all children.
JIM ROLLINS IS SUPERINTENDENT OF SPRINGDALE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. HE HAS SERVED IN THAT CAPACITY SINCE 1982.