By By Adam Prestridge
Faculty from Huxford Elementary School, along with Escambia County Superintendent Billy Hines will visit Montgomery’s Robert Trent Jones golf complex in Prattville later today.
The group won’t be teeing off for a round of golf on one of the state’s premier courses, instead, they will be among 10 schools to be recognized for participating in a statewide study.
The study, performed by the Alabama Department of Agriculture &Industries’ Center for Rural Alabama will release their report, “Lessons Learned from Country Schools,” at a banquet this evening where each school will be commended for its beneficial participation in the “intensive” study, which included more than 300 interviews.
According to a release, the report takes an in-depth look at 10 high-performing rural elementary schools in Alabama. At least 65 percent of all students at each school receive free and reduced lunches.
Study leaders looked at internal factors at each school as to how principals communicate with teachers, how teachers communicate with students and how principals and teachers interact. They also looked at community support and education partners. In addition, 10 teachers at each school were profiled using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator system to determine if there are personality commonalities among good teachers.
The study was funded by a grant from the ALFA Foundation. The Economic Development Association of Alabama also partnered in the effort.
The schools included in the study are, Huxford (Escambia County), Calcedeaver (Mobile County), Dutton (Jackson County), Ervin (Wilcox County), Fruithurst (Cleburne County), Harlan (Covington County), Meek (Winston County), Phil Campbell (Franklin County), Southern Choctaw (Choctaw County) and Turner (Perry County).
Time and time again, Huxford has been recognized for its excellence in the classroom, and this go-around, the school’s high-performance has afforded it the opportunity to be involved in a study, which will be used for years to come. For that, they should be applauded.
The event will be held at the Marriott Legends at the Robert Trent Jones golf complex in Prattville and will begin with a reception with the release of the study following a dinner.
See Sunday’s Advance for complete coverage of the event.
Adam Prestridge is publisher of The Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123.