School gets national recognition

Jacksonville Nichols Intermediate School has been recognized by the National Center for educational Achievement (NCEA) for its TAKS math scores.

The campus was recognized because its students performed at a higher level than was predicted in math. Nichols students were compared with students from other schools with the same demographics.

"NCEA looks at students' TAKS scores in various subjects over a period of time," Judy Terry, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction said.

Math teachers at the school look at what students need and target their teaching to these areas of needs. The campus has tutoring every school day and a strategist meets with teachers to help them plan according to student needs.

"This recognition is a first time achievement and we are excited to be recognized," Tammy Jones, principal said. "This is a total campus-wide approach to our students being successful," she added.

"Now other schools will see that we are recognized and will call to see what Nichols is doing to make students successful," Ms. Terry said.