HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force named 78 schools in 28 Kansas public school districts recipients of the 2017 Challenge Awards. Three district schools were recognized in four categories.

The awards recognize Kansas schools making a notable difference in student achievement despite facing significant challenges in school population. Since its inception in 2002, more than 1,500 awards have been presented to schools across the state.

Lincoln Elementary School, third-grade math

Lincoln Elementary School, third-grade reading

Hutchinson Middle School 7, seventh-grade reading

Hutchinson Middle School 8, eighth-grade reading

Representatives from the schools received certificates Monday evening at the Hutchinson School Board meeting from State Board Member Ken Willard.

The Confidence in Public Education Task Force is a nonprofit corporation whose primary purpose is to strengthen confidence in Kansas public education and to increase awareness of the positive aspects of public education in the state. The Task Force was created in 1981.

Members of the Task Force include: American Association of University Women; Kansas PTA; Kansas Association of School Boards; Kansas National Education Association; Kansas State Board of Education; Kansas State High School Activities Association; Kansas Partners in Education; League of Women Voters – Kansas; and United School Administrators of Kansas.