Great Things Happening in the SEDC Region for Fall 2023
Here’s a roundup of several stories in the news that showcase just a few of the great things that are going on in schools in southwestern Utah.
2 Utah schools named among best in the country
Of the 350 or so schools in the country recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools, two Utah schools made that list, and one is right here in Beaver County. Blue Ribbon Schools are the highest performing schools in the United States, identified by the US Department of Education.
Milford Elementary was once one of the lowest-performing schools in the state, but is now a 2023 Blue Ribbon School thanks to teachers like Sarah George and Jamie Ambrose.
Learn more from this Fox 13 news article and view the video highlighting the two Utah schools below. Milford Elementary is featured beginning at 1:05 into the video.
Escalante High School’s Derlynne Brooks Named Secretary of the Year for Utah
Derlynne Brooks was awarded Secretary of the Year by the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals, during a ceremony held at Escalante High School, by UASSP Executive Director Rhonda Bromley.
Following a behind-the-scenes conspiracy between family members, friends, colleagues, Escalante High School Principal Peter Baksis and Bromley, a surprise celebration of Brooks’ achievement took place October 25, 2023, at the school as part of the Feather Ceremony, which is held to celebrate students.
Continue reading about this incredible person in The Insider.
SEDC Charter School and District Highlighted in the UEN Digital Teaching & Learning Inventory Project
UEN conducted the fifth biannual Utah School Technology Inventory. Through this project, UEN and Connected Nation collected data to help policymakers understand how educational technology supports classroom instruction in Utah.
The School Technology Inventory was first envisioned in 2015 when the Utah Legislature passed Senate Bill 222. This bill established a program that required an inventory of classroom technology and related resources being used in Utah’s public and charter schools.
In 2017, the Utah Legislature passed a second bill, House Bill 277, which established the state’s Digital Teaching and Learning Grant Program. The program made grants available to schools and districts to improve student learning outcomes and provide educators professional learning opportunities in digital teaching and learning. To assess the effect of these investments, UETN decided to continue the inventory every other year.
UEN and Connected Nation conducted the inventory from October to November, and the final report was released early 2024.
Vista School, one of the charter schools that SEDC services, is highlighted here: Exploring new technologies: How Vista School is using integrated tech in and out of the classroom.
Schools in Iron County were also spotlighted: Technology inventory drives improvement in the Iron County School District.
