Gwinnett schools in running for national honor

A delegation of national education experts visited Gwinnett County Schools on Wednesday to consider whether it should be named as the country’s best urban district.

The observation was a formality in the judging process for the prestigious $2 million Broad Prize for Urban Education, the Academy Award equivalent for ambitious school systems.

Gwinnett Schools is one of five finalists competing for the award, which is presented to urban districts with a strong academic record showing marked gains in student performance and a reduction in the achievement gap among low income and minority children.

“The winner of the Broad Prize each year receives national acclaim from leaders in Washington D.C. and school districts across the country,” said Erica Lepping, spokeswoman for the Broad Foundation.

Gwinnett was considered for the recognition for its success with low income and diverse students who have showed improvement on the SAT, the ACT and Advanced Placement courses.

Broad officials visited Radloff Middle School and Berkmar High on Wednesday to examine operations, planning and instruction. At Berkmar, they were joined by Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks and school board chairman Dan Seckinger as they wandered through classrooms. Some Broad representatives appeared impressed with what they saw.

“It has high expectations,” Marcia Lyles, a deputy chancellor at New York City Department of Education said of Gwinnett. “That’s been evident in how students are exposed to rigor.”

The winner of the Broad Prize will receive $1 million to fund college scholarships for needy students who have shown academic improvement in high school. The other finalists will each receive $250,000 for college scholarships. The award will be presented on September 16.