Northville School Honored by State Organization for Science Achievements

has been given the 2011 Michigan's Best Award by the Michigan Association of School Boards.

According to a district press release, the school was selected for "tackling a significant gender achievement gap in science, where boys were outperforming girls. Amerman’s winning program earned the honor in the Improving Student Achievement in Math and Science category for its innovation and impact on student achievement."

Here's more detail from a school district press release:

The program is unique in that it employs action research, engages community groups (especially those focused on women), and uses a three-dimensional model of curriculum. The “3-D” approach includes curriculum components that align with grade level content expectations, paired with real-world applications. This one-of-a-kind approach has led to several unexpected grant sources for Amerman to supplement resources and materials. In addition, the program enjoys many parent volunteers, who, along with students and staff, enjoy working with technology, electricity, solar energy and Legos, to name a few.

“As the father of two daughters, I'm proud that our girls at Amerman have had the opportunity to learn from role models and parents that they too can be engineers, scientists, doctors, or astronauts,” said Amerman Principal Dr. Stephen Anderson. “Both boys and girls have found out how fun it is to apply learning thanks to the great parent involvement we've received.”

Northville Public Schools Superintendent Mary Kay Gallagher said, “This much-deserved recognition by MASB is reflective of more than a decade long partnership among Amerman students, staff and parents, as well as many community groups, to engage young girls, and all students, in a meaningful way in understanding and applying science in real-world situations.”

MASB Michigan’s Best entries are judged by an independent panel of experts in each area, based on uniqueness, the critical need served, and evidence of impact on student achievement. More than 150 entries were received from school districts across the upper and lower peninsulas. Each winner receives a trophy for display at the school and $1,500 to sustain their efforts. Amerman, along with the other Michigan’s Best Award recipients, participated in two rounds of judging and represent the top honor in each of the nine categories for MASB’s Education Excellence program.

Representatives from Amerman and the Northville school district will be on hand to accept the award at the October 29, 2011 Michigan’s Best Awards Ceremony, which will be part of the MASB Annual Convention. The awards ceremony is co-sponsored by MASB and SET SEG School Insurance Specialists, the exclusive sponsor of the MASB Education Excellence program.