HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 919 Offered February 14, 2007 Commending Lucretia Jackson. ---------- Patrons-- Englin, Ebbin and Moran; Senator: Ticer ----------

WHEREAS, on November 9, 2006, Lucretia Jackson, principal of Maury Elementary School of the Alexandria City Public Schools, was named a 2006 Distinguished Educational Leadership Award by The Washington Post; and

WHEREAS, each year, The Washington Post honors principals from area public and private schools who "day after day go beyond the demands of their highly demanding professions to create exceptional education environments for our children"; and

WHEREAS, committed to excellence in education, Lucretia Jackson has been instrumental in involving parents, community volunteers, and teachers to bring about dramatic change in student achievement at Maury Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, prior to joining Maury Elementary School, Lucretia Jackson proved to be an exemplary administrator for the Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy; and

WHEREAS, with a mission based on the knowledge and belief that all students can learn, Lucretia Jackson came to Maury Elementary School in 2004 and declared on the marquee in front of the school "Wanted: More children to love and educate"; and

WHEREAS, battling a state of decline in student performance, Lucretia Jackson and teachers met on weekends to discuss and identify best practices to improve the school’s academic achievement; and

WHEREAS, one creative program was the Secret SOL Supporters, a network of teachers who leave notes of encouragement and little gifts for students, motivating them to do their best on the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests; and

WHEREAS, Lucretia Jackson spearheaded many programs that have resulted in Maury Elementary School becoming accredited in all four academic content areas; the school's SOL test scores have risen to 93 percent of children passing in reading/language arts and 83 percent passing in math; and

WHEREAS, because of Lucretia Jackson's leadership and the diligence of students and teachers, Maury Elementary School's successful academic transformation is a shining example for many other schools across the Commonwealth and the nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Lucretia Jackson on her well-deserved recognition as a 2006 Distinguished Educational Leadership Award by The Washington Post; and

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Lucretia Jackson as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for her commitment to the young people of Alexandria and the Commonwealth.