SAN DIEGO — The California Department of Education (CDE) announced the results of this year's Programs of Excellence recipients at the Association of California School Administrator's (ACSA) Adult Education Conference.

The adult education awards were presented Thursday evening to the 2003 Programs of Excellence Adult Schools at the ACSA annual conference entitled: "No One Left Behind: Open Doors, Delivering Success" in San Diego.

"These are exemplary programs and practices that serve as models for the California adult education system," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell.

The California Adult Literacy Professional Development Project (CALPRO) coordinates the Programs of Excellence Awards process along with providing a comprehensive system of professional development for adult education and literacy providers throughout California. CALPRO, one of several Leadership Projects in the CDE Adult Education Office, is funded by CDE through the federal Adult Education and Family Literacy Act.

Achieving Programs of Excellence status is a formal recognition that an adult school excels in several key areas. Several quality indicators are considered, including curriculum and instruction, adult student support services, leadership and planning, learner accomplishments, as well as community involvement and collaboration.

Each quality indicator involves a thorough adult school self-review. CDE, along with field colleagues from current Programs of Excellence, review and rate each adult school's application.

The recognition of outstanding Adult Education Programs of Excellence and practices make it possible for more than 1.4 million adult students to open doors to success and improve individual lives, families, communities, as well as the economic development of California.

For more information, please visit Adult Education.

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AWARDEES

Charles A. Jones Skills and Business Education Center — Vocational Education
Sacramento City Unified School District

Hacienda La Puente Adult Education — Parent Education
Hacienda La Puente Unified School District

Metropolitan Adult Education Program — Older Adults
Metropolitan Education District

Santa Clara Adult Education — Adults with Disabilities
Santa Clara Unified School District

Santa Clara Adult Education — Parent Education
Santa Clara Unified School District

Santa Clara Adult Education — Vocational Education
Santa Clara Unified School District

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison at Corcoran — Adults with Disabilities
California Correctional Institution

Stockton School for Adults — ESL
Stockton Unified School District

Sweetwater Unified High School District — ESL
Sweetwater Unified School District