RICHMOND — Radford City Public Schools is one of seven school divisions the Virginia Board of Education has recognized with its annual Innovative Practice Award.
The recognitions are part of the board’s Exemplar Performance Awards program and are based on performance and practices during 2021-2022 and prior school years.
RCPS was recognized for “implementing and enhancing STEM offerings by adding courses, incorporating STEM content into existing curricula, creating STEM pathways at the high school level and altering schedules to provide large blocks of time for labs, problem-based learning and exploration for students to highlight their experiences and learning through the creation of digital portfolios, exhibitions and senior capstones.”
“I congratulate all of the winners for developing innovative practices that address the needs of their students and communities and for implementing them successfully over time,” Board of Education President Dan Gecker said. “These awards recognize the creative and innovative work of educators and provide an incentive for other divisions and schools to develop their own innovations to improve outcomes and expand opportunities for students.”
“I am looking forward to visiting each of these divisions during the next school year to learn more about their innovations and see firsthand how students are benefitting,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons said. “I see every school division and school as a potential laboratory for innovations that could potentially inform statewide policies and practices.”
School divisions earned the recognition for exemplary innovative practices based on division-wide implementation for at least two full academic years of a new or creative evidence-based alternative to existing instructional or administrative practices. The goals and objectives of the innovative practice had to align with one or more of the following priority areas:
Closing achievement gaps among vulnerable and/or minority student groups.
Developing an integrated STEM approach to learning.
Building genuine relationships with families to support overall family well-being and children’s healthy development.
Elevating the quality and character of the school environment and supporting norms, goals, and values of the community.
Retaining high-quality teachers.
Developing life-ready students through implementation of the Profile of a Virginia Graduate.
Data provided by the school or division demonstrate that the practice is meeting its objectives and is having a significant impact on outcomes for the targeted student population.
The other winning divisions and school included: Goochland County Public Schools, Louisa County Public Schools, Roanoke County Public Schools, Roanoke County, Roanoke and Salem Public Schools, York County Public Schools, and Kempsville High in Virginia Beach.
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