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Pasco honors state-recognized schools; district recognizes state migrant graduation specialist
Summary
The board recognized Dr. Nayeli Aranda Hernandez for a statewide migrant education award and Assistant Superintendent Goval highlighted four Pasco schools recognized by Washington's School Recognition Program for growth and closing achievement gaps.
The Pasco School District formally recognized Dr. Nayeli Aranda Hernandez, the district's migrant program graduation specialist, after the Washington State Migrant Education Program named her the 2024-25 Washington State Migrant Graduation Specialist of the Year.
Later in the meeting Assistant Superintendent Goval presented awards for four schools the state recognized for student growth and closing gaps during the 2023-24 school year. The Washington School Recognition Program (collaborative work of the State Board of Education, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee) uses a compilation of multiple data points over multiple years to identify schools that demonstrate achievement, growth or progress closing gaps.
Goval said Markham (Edwin Markham) Elementary was recognized for growth among low-income students, with composite decile scores substantially above the state threshold for similar schools and with growth indicators of 10 out of 10 in some foundational categories. Franklin STEM Elementary was cited for closing gaps among English-language learners and showed notable three-year gains. 3 Rivers Elementary also showed large gains for English-language learners, and McLaughlin Middle School was recognized for growth in one or more racial or ethnic student groups, including top decile results in ELA for specified subgroups.
Goval credited consistent district practices across recognized schools: rigorous core curriculum with aligned instructional materials, high expectations paired with targeted interventions, effective use of professional learning communities and schoolwide multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), and intentional work around student belonging and student voice. Board members thanked school staff for the work and praised the programs many principals described as a combination of instructional clarity, progress monitoring and tiered supports.
Separately, staff said Dr. Aranda Hernandez's plaque will be displayed on the district's Wall of Distinction and she received a certificate for personal retention.
