By STEVE NOBLE

Superintendent, USD 410

American Education Week is celebrated annually the week prior to Thanksgiving.

This year, it is Nov. 15 through 21.

According to the National Education Association, distressed that 25 percent of World War I draftees were illiterate and 9 percent were physically unfit, the National Education Association and the American Legion met in 1919 to seek ways in which public support for education might increase. The first resolutions of support for this national effort occurred in 1921 with the NEA and American Legion as sponsors.

Currently, there are other co-sponsors of American Education Week including the U.S. Department of Education, the National PTA, and the National Association of School Boards.

American Education Week is a reminder of the commitments our nation has made to public education during the past 100 years.

Locally, we celebrate our communities’ commitment to educational excellence. Through our outstanding teachers, support staff, parents, students, facilities, and programs, educational excellence shines throughout USD 410. Academically, all USD 410 schools achieved the building-wide standard of excellence in reading and math for 2009. This is a world class standard of academic achievement.

Our kindergarten through 12 curriculum and staff provide tremendous opportunities for learning as evidenced by our 97 percent graduation rate at Hillsboro High School.

The attendance rate of students in our district is 96 percent, which is a good indicator of two things: the level of student engagement in our classrooms and the commitment of our families to ensure their children are in school. Further evidence of a strong academic program is shown in student ACT scores, which are traditionally the best in the area.

For 2009, the composite ACT score for HHS students was 24.1 compared to the state’s composite score of 21.9.

Fine arts, clubs, activities, and athletics also play pivotal roles in our children’s education. It is no secret the excellence these programs exude year in and year out. Research clearly shows the impact these co-curricular offerings have on student achievement and graduation rates.

In fact, these types of programs serve as some of our best at-risk interventions for students.

USD 410 has much to celebrate during American Education Week. It is our mission to continue to provide outstanding academic, athletic, and fine arts programs and clubs to our students so they can continue to receive a world-class educational experience.