Academy Star Awards 2009 - Student of the Year Finalists - Adademy of READING and Academy of MATH 
We recently held the 3rd annual AutoSkill Academy Awards. This year, we held nominations for Academy Star Student of the Year and a new teacher category, Academy Innovator. From over 200 nation-wide nominations, we narrowed the contenders to a list of student and teacher finalists and the top winners. Profiled below are the Student of the Year finalists in the category for those students using both the Academy of READING and Academy of MATH.
For all of us at AutoSkill, it’s very rewarding to learn about the creative work and commitment of Academy teachers and the incredible achievements of our students. Congratulations on another outstanding year!
Continue below to read about the finalists in our category for students using both Academy of READING and Academy of MATH solutions.
Finalists
Stephon has received instruction this year in both the Academy of READING and Academy of MATH. He works hard, exemplifies good character, and is very well mannered. He has recently been dismissed from the special education program as a resource student. He is extremely proud of this accomplishment. In the Academy of MATH, he pre-tested at Basic and post-tested at Proficient. He is presently working in the Academy of READING and according to his teacher, Ms. Sabb, “Stephon is an excellent choice to nominate for this award. He is a hard worker and encourages other students to listen and pay attention during direct instruction as well as the time set aside for working in the Academy program.” When his ELA teacher was asked for a contribution for his nomination, her response was as follows: “I have found Stephon to be a very conscientious and admirable student. Whatever I ask him to do, he completes it ungrudgingly. The task before him is always a step to something better. He is always the same in mannerism and work habits. He works diligently until the task is complete. Stephon definitely possesses the qualities of a winner that never gives up.”
Submitted by: Lisa Williams , Kingstree Jr. High
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I am nominating, Tyler, an 11th grade student who trained on both Academy of MATH and Academy of READING. She has proven to be diligent, steadfast, respectful, and responsible as she frequently stayed after class and came in during free time to continue her work and push herself to achieve more.
In math, Tyler has accumulated 41 hours of Time On Task between August 29th and January 14th and has completed 73 skills, completing 65% of her program and mastering 99% at the prescribed mastery criteria. Because of her hard work, she has increased her Academy of MATH score from a 5.5 to a 7.7.
In Reading, Tyler completed the comprehensive training program from January 23rd to March 31st. In approximately 18.5 hours, she mastered 98% at the prescribed mastery criteria. Tyler’s score rose from a 5.0 to a 10.0!
Submitted by: Ita Schmidt , East St. Louis Senior High School
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Jacobe has always shown perseverance in his academics even through his struggles with the subject of reading. Starting in third grade the reading TAKS test was a challenge for Jacobe. He was unsuccessful the first two times he took it and had to attend summer school for this reason. This year, in fourth grade, he was having trouble with reading comprehension and the basic understanding of texts. He would have difficulties completing assignments that included fourth-level skills such as using context clues and inferring about a passage. Jacobe started attending the Academy of READING at a below Basic level of 2.0. As the year went on, I began to notice a difference in these skills. He attended three times a week, was eager, and never frustrated to attend. The AutoSkill program was able to meet Jacobe where he was academically and fill the gaps in his foundation of reading. He is post testing at a Basic level of 4.0, and has moved two levels up. Jacobe is more confident in the classroom and always willing to read aloud and answer questions.
For Jacobe, the Academy of MATH met him at his mathematical level, and moved him up from there. In the beginning, Jacobe was performing Below Basic on the Academy’s assessments at the level of 2.7. His Individualized Training Programs were Level 2-4 stream. Now he is performing at a proficient level of 5.2. He had a level increase of 2.5. In class, I have seen his self esteem improve. He is not shy about answering questions or even asking questions in front of the class. He is confident that his solutions are correct when asked to explain his thinking. Throughout the year, Jacobe has shown his improvement in math. He increased every time on his practice TAKS Released Tests. I am proud of the growth I have seen in him this year.
Submitted by: Patricia Beard , Salyers Elementary
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The majority of the students at Riverside Academy face many hardships every day. They often come from low-income households and/or single parent homes. Over 95% of our students receive free or reduced lunch. They often come to school without basic supplies such as pencils and paper. Despite all of these hurdles, many of our students have made some amazing gains in math and reading this year. After implementing the Academy of MATH and Academy of READING programs in August, students have shown real improvements in their reading, listening, and math skills. They come to school every day and continue to work on the lessons assigned to them. Overall, we have been impressed with the progress of our students.
The following students were chosen from each homeroom because they have displayed determination and perseverance in working on the programs: Cassidy Sanderson, Shelby Reese, Adriana Strawther, Tre Gaines, Deanna Robson, Tiffany Pridemore, Alexis Pridemore, and Steven Adkins.
We would love for each of them to be acknowledged for their hard work.
Submitted by: Allison Carnes, Riverside Academy
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Continue reading about our Academy of READING finalists and Academy of MATH finalists.
