WISH-TV: State's most improved schools cash in

By: David Barras

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Call it bonus money, a thank-you from the state for student achievement. A dozen schools in Indiana took home thousands in cash Wednesday; two in Indianapolis.

It's a summer afternoon, but students at Fall Creek Academy in Indianapolis are still in school. They spend summers studying, so they don't fall behind the rest of the year.

The latest numbers indicate the approach is working. Fall Creek was one of 12 Indiana High Schools honored for its one year turnaround in graduating students.

Fall Creek went from a 39 percent graduation rate in 2008-2009 to 67 percent in 2009-2010.

Tony Bennett, the Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, handed out thousands in reward money. "So this is the recognition and rewarding of great teachers, great principals, great school folks who have done things to help students graduate," said Bennett.

In all it’s a $20,000 reward from the Indiana Department of Education. The principal and some of the teachers who helped with the turnaround, will share the money.

"This is really about the students and getting them to graduate, want to graduate from high school and go on to college," said Fall Creek Academy founder Kevin Teasley.

Charles Tindley School in Indianapolis was also honored. Getting $20,000 for improving its graduation rate from 60 to nearly 79 percent. Principal Marcus Robinson accepted the check.

"What our kids lack isn't desire, what they lack isn't great parenting. What they lack is resources," he said.

The reward comes from money saved by reorganizing the Department of Education. Schools with 300 or more students got $20,000. Schools with fewer than 300 got $10,000. Students who graduated because of a waiver were not included in the turnaround rate.

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