Apollo Elementary Teachers Receive Bonuses for School Improvement
Teachers at Putnam City’s Apollo Elementary School who taught at the school for at least half the year last school year will each receive a check for $500 as a result of a state program that rewards teachers who work in schools that make the most sizable gains in student achievement in one year.
The bonus program, called the Oklahoma Academic Achievement Award program, is based on improvements in schools’ Academic Performance Index (API). The State Department of Education annually calculates an API score (on a scale ranging from 0 to 1500) for each public school by factoring in the school's student success on state achievement tests and its attendance rates.
Apollo’s API almost doubled, showing the fourth greatest increase in the state among schools with an enrollment between 346 to 505 students. The school’s API rose from 598 in 2006 to 1182 in 2007, a 99.33 percent gain.
“Our teachers were thrilled to be recognized for the hard work they're doing. The gains we’ve made indicate our high expectations for learning and the dedication and passion our teachers have for teaching. We continue to strengthen relationships with our students, their families and the community,” says Barbara Crump, principal at Apollo.
There are 30 certified teachers currently on staff at Apollo who meet the criteria for the award. ESL teacher Wendi Tejada says the widespread recognition is appropriate.
"I am encouraged by the choice to recognize the importance of all certified teachers at Apollo Elementary through this award. Our team of educators has been highly focused on skills and needs of students. The resource teachers – Title I, ESL, special education, media, art, music, PE, and counselor – teach academic skills to mastery as well as promote positive relationships with students and parents. We believe it takes all of us to educate the whole child,” says Tejada.