NATIONAL EDUCATION OFFICIAL TO VISIT FARNSWORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

NATIONAL EDUCATION OFFICIAL TO VISIT FARNSWORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
9/28/2006 3:01 PM

U.S. Department of Education’s Todd Zoellick will visit Farnsworth Elementary School in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Friday, September 29 at 9:30 a.m. as part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Back-To-School Initiative. Department officials are visiting schools throughout the country to celebrate the beginning of the new school year and to discuss the importance of preparing students to compete in our global economy. Farnsworth was the only school selected for the state of Minnesota. While this is not an official award, the selected schools exemplify some of the positive practices and trends going on in American education today.

Farnsworth Aerospace Magnet School employs a unique science-focused curriculum, and has achieved dramatic improvement in its students’ assessment scores over the past three years. More than 77% of its students are from low-income families. During the upcoming visit, Zoellick will congratulate the school’s students, teachers and administrators on their outstanding achievements, and learn about Farnsworth’s best practices in order to share them with other schools throughout the country.

"We are indeed honored and deeply grateful for the opportunity to reflect on our practices with others as we continue to improve until all students reach the proficiency expected at each grade level," said Troy Vincent, Principal of Farnsworth.

Farnsworth is planning an all-school assembly, roundtable discussion, classroom visits, and a reception for Todd Zoellick at school on Friday. Saint Paul Public Schools Superintendent Meria Carstarphen, Farnsworth alumni, parents, and partners will also be on hand for this event.