PRESS RELEASE:

Morton High School has been awarded the Red Quill Award for 2009-2010 by ACT’s Midwest Regional Office. The award was established in 2006 to recognize schools in the Midwest that are taking an innovative approach to improve their curriculum and have shown consistent growth in student ACT scores over time.

Morton High School is one of only four Illinois high schools, in addition to Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville, Tri-Valley High School in Downs and Huntley High School in Huntley, to receive the award this year, and one of only 26 schools recognized across the Midwest.

“The Red Quill Award is a major regional recognition for excellence in providing academic preparation for college and workplace readiness,” said Galen Johnson, assistant vice president and regional manager. “The ACT Midwest Region is pleased to honor Morton High School for receiving this award and for their significant and measurable efforts to improve postsecondary readiness for all of their students.”

Schools that use EXPLORE and PLAN assessment programs for 8th and 10th grade students were qualified to apply for the Red Quill Award. To earn the award, schools had to demonstrate that they effectively used the results of these programs to improve the education they provide to students through curriculum and/or instruction. They also had to show consistent improvement in ACT scores over the past five years.

Recipients on the Red Quill award receive a plaque from ACT that commemorates their accomplishment.