STATE SCHOOLS CHIEF JACK O’CONNELL ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO DISTINGUISHED SCHOOLS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, APPLICATION PROCESS

FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

November 14, 2008

CONTACT: Pam Slater
PHONE: 916-319-0818
E-MAIL: pslater@cde.ca.gov


            SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today announced a series of changes to the California School Recognition Program (CSRP) aimed at rewarding schools for narrowing the achievement gap and ensuring that a new generation of California Distinguished Schools will share with others the  strategies they employed to improve the achievement of underperforming students.

            “There are large disparities in the achievement between groups of students – our white students and our students of color, as well as gaps with our English learners, students from impoverished families, and students with disabilities. This achievement gap is a concern for all Californians. Closing it is not only my top priority, it is imperative for the future of our students and our state,” O’Connell said.

            “During my State of Education address earlier this year, I proclaimed that the achievement gap is the single most daunting obstacle facing public education in our state and declared the closure of this pernicious gap my top priority. So, In addition to other ongoing measures, I believe that we should use our rewards system to ensure that schools are successful in closing the gap.

“Starting in 2009, in order to become a California Distinguished School, schools will not only have to meet the current criteria, but they'll have to narrow their achievement gap as well. Schools closing their gap will have truly earned the right to be called ‘distinguished,’” he said.

Under the 2009 CSRP, the California Distinguished Schools Award identifies and honors those schools that have demonstrated educational excellence for all students and progress in narrowing the achievement gap.

In order to be invited to apply for Distinguished School honors, schools must meet a variety of eligibility criteria including designated federal and state accountability measures based on No Child Left Behind (NCLB), Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), and the Academic Performance Index (API) requirements.

Elementary and secondary (middle and high) schools are recognized during alternate years. For the 2009 cycle, eligible middle and high schools are invited to participate. The criteria for school selection are based on the submission of an application, including a description of two of the school’s successful signature practices, an application review, along with a site visit designed to validate the full implementation of the submitted practices.

The application itself has also been revised and streamlined. Many schools historically have chosen not to apply due to the time-consuming and arduous process of completing applications to qualify. Now, instead of completing a long application narrative, schools will submit a description of two of their successful signature practices. The California Department of Education (CDE), in conjunction with the CSRP Advisory Committee, has developed new guidelines and a new template for this revised process. The signature practice submission will be reviewed by a team of educators to verify the submission meets all guidelines and is complete. 

Schools submitting a successful application will receive a site visit by a team of educators to validate the implementation of the school’s signature practices. The team will make the final recommendation to the CDE. Schools receiving the Distinguished School Award will have their signature practices posted on the CDE Web site and serve as a resource to other schools.

“The recognition of being selected a California Distinguished School will now continue in perpetuity as the successful practices of each school will be available for all schools to consider and implement on their own campuses,” O’Connell said. “We are committed to extending these innovative ideas to support and empower all schools in closing the achievement gap.”

For more information on the California School Recognition Program, please go to: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/cs/. A copy of the letter O’Connell sent to county and district superintendents and charter school administrators is at: http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/el/le/yr08ltr1113.asp. .