National School Change Award Presented to Oil City Elementary Magnet School in Oil City, Louisiana

Washington, D.C. -- Oil City Elementary Magnet School in Oil City, Louisiana, a model Project Learning Tree (PLT) certified school, was presented with the “National School Change Award” in recognition of its significant improvement.  This honor is awarded each year to six schools around the country by the American Association of School Administrators, New York’s Fordham University Graduate School of Education, and Pearson Education.

“PLT has played a major role in helping turn the school around and I see teachers using PLT activities and teaching strategies every day with their students,” said Mike Irvin, principal of Oil City Elementary Magnet School.  Teachers regularly take their students outside to conduct hands-on outdoor learning activities. 

Just five years ago, Oil City Elementary faced closure due to dropping enrollment numbers and below par test scores.  The administration and faculty dedicated their focus to an environmental science magnet and the entire faculty was trained in the use of PLT.  New and refresher PLT professional development workshops have been held every year since with all staff participating.

Today, the school is recognized for significant improvement in test scores at all grade levels.  For example, in 2001, 38% of fourth grade students scored in the basic to proficient level on the state standardized tests and 62% fell in the unsatisfactory category.  In 2005, 67% performed at the basic to proficient level or above.

“The kids at Oil City Elementary Magnet School are always enthusiastic,” said Ricky Kilpatrick who works closely with the school and is co-coordinator of Project Learning Tree in Louisiana.  “They definitely benefit from the real-world application they get from Project Learning Tree, and the dramatic turn-around in student performance is proof that PLT works.”

Oil City Elementary Magnet School was designated as a model PLT Certified School in 2003.  Brenda Smith, a fourth grade math, science, and environmental science teacher at Oil City Elementary Magnet School, was awarded PLT’s 2006 National Outstanding Educator Award in May.  Grants she has written have helped her students participate in a variety of educational and community service projects, as well as transform the school’s football field into a nature trail with three outdoor classrooms and a new greenhouse.  A PLT GreenWorks! grant is currently helping students add a fruit orchard and bird viewing station.

Kathy McGlauflin, Senior Vice President of Education at the American Forest Foundation and Director of Project Learning Tree spoke at the ceremony in Oil City.  “Oil City Elementary Magnet School serves as a model for other schools to help improve teaching and learning,” she said. “Oil City sure shows how getting kids outside every day can make a difference.”

Project Learning Tree (PLT) is the environmental education program of the American Forest Foundation. PLT uses the forest as a “window on the world” to increase students’ understanding of our complex environment and to help students learn the skills they need to make sound choices about the environment.  Developed in 1976, PLT has an international network of more than 500,000 trained educators using six curricula covering the total environment.  The American Forest Foundation, a nonprofit organization, works for healthy forests, quality environmental education, and informed decision-making about our communities and our world.