Six schools in The Times circulation area were recognized for academic achievements by the Illinois State Board of Education, based on the 2008 Illinois Standards Achievement Test scores.

Each year, the ISBE issues three types of awards: Spotlight Schools, Academic Improvement and Academic Excellence.

Newark Elementary School earned Academic Excellence status after 90 percent or more of students met or exceeded state standards in reading and math for three consecutive years.

According to the Illinois Interactive Report Card, in 2006, 93.3 percent of students met state standards. In 2007, 90.5 percent met standards and in 2008 it was 93 percent.

Lostant Elementary and Allen-Otter Creek Elementary in Ransom both earned Academic Improvement status. To receive this designation, schools must make significant improvement — either a 7.5 point increase in both reading and math between 2007 and 2008 scores or a 15 point increase in both reading and math between 2006 and 2008.

At Lostant, the number of students meeting standards jumped from 85.8 percent in 2007 to 96 percent in 2008. In 2006, 83.6 percent of students met standards. At Allen-Otter Creek, the number of students meeting standards jumped from 78.9 percent in 2007 to 87 percent in 2008. In 2006, 77.3 percent of students met standards.

Iner Anderson, interim superintendent at Allen-Otter Creek, believes the school district's efforts with Response to Intervention, a program under No Child Left Behind that provides extra assistance for students, may have helped boost scores. The Ransom district was one of the pilot schools to launch the program several years ago.

"That might be one factor. We've been doing it for several years and it may be helping,"he said.

He believes other factors are at play as well.

"We've always been strong academically. We were pleased to get this rating," he said. "I think we have a good staff and the students are working hard ... We have good community support."

One Ottawa school and two Streator schools were named Spotlight Schools. This award is targeted at schools with 50 percent or more of its student population at low-income status. To qualify as a Spotlight School, a school must have at least 60 percent of its students meet or exceed standards in reading and math for 2008 and at least 50 percent of students meeting standards in both subjects in 2006 and 2007 as well.

This is the fourth year Oakland Park has received this honor.

"There are a lot of reasons for our students' success, and it is hard to pick out specifics," said Principal Gail Russell. "Most importantly, the teachers are very dedicated and believe that all children can learn. They use best practices in their teaching and work to meet emotional needs as well as academic needs. The staff members collaborate with each other on a regular basis in an effort to help students be successful. Another key to success is that our parents are receptive and willing to work with us."

At Oakland Park, 77.3 percent met standards in 2006, 82.9 percent in 2007 and 83 percent in 2008. At Centennial, 86.5 percent met standards in 2006, 78.7 percent in 2007 and 86 percent in 2008. At Jefferson, 71.8 percent met standards in 2006, 72.7 percent in 2007 and 77 percent in 2008.

Jefferson Principal Cleve Threadgill said this is the fourth year his school has been named a Spotlight School. Like Russell, he credited faculty, staff and parents for the improvement in scores.

"We have accomplished this by focusing on the Illinois Learning Standards and the individual needs of each student,"he said. "We have analyzed ISAT and Stanford tests to determine which areas of the curriculum we need to focus upon. We have reached out to our parents and community and log many volunteer hours monthly that is dedicated to assisting students. Another important factor is that our teachers are dedicated to the profession."

"We also have made every attempt to make our school a positive environment for everyone through many events planned throughout the school year that invite our families to take part in the school,"he added. "We believe family involvement is an important factor in the overall success of every child and we want to have positive relationships with our families that will be a partnership to assist their child to meet their fullest potential."

To be eligible for any of the three awards, schools also must meet other state testing requirements, including having a 95 percent or higher participation rate on the days of testing and maintaining at least a 90 percent or higher attendance rate throughout the school year.

For more information, visit Illinois Honor Roll on the ISBE Web site, www.isbe.net.