Back to Year 2008 - Letters
November 13, 2008
Dear County and District Superintendents and Charter School Administrators:
California School Recognition Program
2009 Distinguished School Awards
I am pleased to announce the launch of the California School Recognition Program (CSRP) 2009 Distinguished School Awards and to inform you about some important changes to the eligibility criteria and application process. These changes eliminate the competitive application process and allow each school that has successfully demonstrated academic excellence based on Academic Performance Index, Adequate Yearly Progress, and closing the achievement gap the opportunity to share successful practices and be recognized as a California Distinguished School.
As you are aware, there are large disparities in the achievement among California's student subgroups. This "achievement gap" is a concern for all Californians — schools, districts, county offices of education, higher education institutions, parents, businesses, and communities. Making our schools work for all students, regardless of their background, condition, or circumstance, is imperative for the future of California. In response to this daunting challenge, I have made closing the achievement gap my top priority. To make sure the achievement gap is considered in the awards programs, several modifications to the 2009 Distinguished School Awards' eligibility criteria, application requirements, and selection process have been made.
In addition to high achievement, the 2009 eligibility criteria will also include measures for closing the achievement gap. The application itself has also been revised and streamlined. We recognize that many schools historically chose not to apply due to the long, arduous process. Instead of completing a long application narrative, schools will now 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.
In addition, last year I directed my P-16 Council "to develop, implement, and sustain a specific, ambitious plan that holds the State of California accountable for creating the conditions necessary for closing the achievement gap." The Council released a report outlining 14 recommendations to address the achievement gap among student subgroups. The following P-16 Council recommendations are strongly supported by the revised 2009 Distinguished School Awards:
Improve the Awards System (Recommendation 9): "California should align its recognition programs to address the focus on improving academic achievement for all students. Current recognition programs do not incorporate criteria on how schools and districts have performed in regard to closing the achievement gap."
Share Successful Practices (Recommendation 12): "Educators need reliable and vetted resources proven to be effective with students in their classrooms."
You can find the P-16 Council report, Closing the Achievement Gap: Report of Superintendent Jack O'Connell's California P-16 Council, and the Closing the Achievement Gap Initiative, on the P-16 Council Web page at P-16 Council - Initiatives, Projects, & Programs.
The Distinguished School Awards provides an excellent opportunity for the CDE to address these recommendations. For the 2009 secondary schools cycle, we are committed to identifying and recognizing exemplary schools in California that are implementing successful practices focused on the needs of all students and on narrowing the achievement gap. We are also committed to sharing those successful practices with all educators in California.
A copy of the 2009 Distinguished School Awards Eligibility Criteria is attached for your reference. The eligibility criteria is also available on the CSRP Web page at California School Recognition Program. Schools meeting the eligibility criteria to apply for this year's award will be notified by e-mail no later than November 21. The application will be due on December 19, 2008.
Please note that high schools applying for the 2009 Distinguished School Awards are also eligible to submit an application for the 2009 Exemplary Career Technical Education Award.
If you have any questions regarding this subject, please contact Patricia Skelton, Administrator, Awards Unit, at 916-319-0630 or by e-mail at pskelton@cde.ca.gov.
Sincerely,
Jack O'Connell
JO:ps
Attachment
1430 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814