RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The Virginia Board of Education is honoring two school divisions and 40 schools for improving the academic performance of economically disadvantaged students. The awards are based on results of Standards of Learning tests during the last two school years. West Point and Poquoson public schools were honored as Highly Distinguished Divisions for high graduation rates and for two years of full accreditation and exceeding federal objectives in English and math. Four schools in Amherst, Arlington, Franklin and Isle of Wight counties were named Highly Distinguished Schools for exceeding state and federal benchmarks two years in a row and passing English and math SOL tests at or above the 85th percentile. Thirty-six schools that passed at the 60th percentile or better also were recognized.
