Enumclaw Middle School was named as a 2011 School of Distinction from The Center for Educational Effectiveness, the Association of Educational Service Districts, the Association of Washington School Principals, Phi Delta Kappa-Washington Chapter, Washington Association of School Administrators, Washington State ASCD and Washington State School Directors’ Association.

The School of Distinction honor is awarded to schools for outstanding improvement in student achievement. Enumclaw Middle School is among 22 other middle schools across the state of Washington to receive the honor, representing about 5 percent of all middle schools.

Specifics of the methodology used to determine 2011 winners are summarized in the following bullets:

• The 2011 performance, as with the previous five years, is translated into a “Reading/Math Level Index” and must meet the minimum threshold: at or above the state median for the grade band.

• Unlike previous years where enough longitudinal data only existed in grades 4, 7 and 10, there is now  longitudinal data from 2006-11 in all grades.

• Three grade bands are used for calculation: 3, 4, and 5 for elementary schools, 6, 7 and 8 for middle or junior high schools and 10 for high schools. A school must have data in two of three grades to be considered for that band.

• The final data point was calculated using the Measures of Student Progress (third through eight grade) and High School Proficiency Exam (10th grade) from spring 2011.

• Using data from 2006-11, provides six data points which identifies five improvement steps.

• A Reading/Math Level Index is calculated for all grades in band, for example, a K-8 school would be eligible in both elementary and middle/junior high bands.

• A school must have data in at least three of six years to be considered, one of which must be 2011.

• Improvement is defined as the slope of linear trend over the five years.

• The number of schools comprising 5 percent is based on the number of schools at each grade band with 2011 data.

A regional recognition event is being planned with the date and location to be determined.