SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell reflected today on the important accomplishments achieved over the past year for California's public schools and students.

"This has been an extraordinary year of gains for the more than six million students in the state," said O'Connell. "Our students are continuing to improve their learning, and their teachers are delivering more than ever on their commitment to help them achieve."

Here is O'Connell's list of the top 10 accomplishments for the state's schools in 2003:

1. California students steadily improved their scores for the fifth straight year on statewide academic achievement tests. Improvement has continued even as the tests have grown more rigorous to reflect California's world-class standards. For more information, please visit 2003 STAR Results Show Fifth Year of Gains - Year 2003.

2. California's high school class of 2003 improved its combined verbal and math scores on the SAT I (formerly known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test) by six points over the previous year's scores. (SAT I Test Takers Make Gains - Year 2003)

3. Nearly triple the percentage of English learners, or 32 percent, who took the California English Language Development Test scored proficient in the language, compared to 11 percent the year before. (English Learners Reaching Proficiency - Year 2003)

4. Ninety percent of California's public schools improved their Academic Performance Index Growth scores, and 78 percent of schools met their academic performance targets -- a 26-percentage point gain from 2002. (Nearly all California Schools Show Improvement - Year 2003)

5. California's fourth grade ethnic subgroups showed significant and dramatic improvement in mathematics, and showed improvement in reading on the National Assessment of Education Progress. (NCES National Report Card - Year 2003)

6. The California Department of Education's (CDE) Nutritional Services Division distributed 1,482 cases of food to victims of the Southern California wildfires, which was enough to provide 177,840 servings of meat, fruit, and vegetables. For more information about the Nutrition Services Division, please visit Nutrition Services - Allocations/Apportionments.

7. The CDE recognized 303 schools for exceptional performance this past year:

• 4 high-performing middle schools were designated "Schools to Watch - Taking Center Stage" for academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational support; (California's 2003 Model Middle Schools - Year 2003)
• 132 middle and high schools were selected as "Distinguished Schools" based on their Academic Performance Index results and overall school-wide excellence; (Distinguished Schools for 2003 - Year 2003)
• 20 high schools were named "Model Continuation High Schools" for providing exceptional opportunities for teenagers at risk of not completing school; (Model Continuation High Schools for 2003 - Year 2003)
• 115 elementary and middle schools received both recognition and monetary awards as "Title I Achieving Schools" for markedly improving student achievement, as authorized under the federal No Child Left Behind law; (National High Achievement Awards - Year 2003) and
• 32 elementary schools were selected as "No Child Left Behind - Blue Ribbon Schools" for dramatic growth and high achievement, two more schools were added after September 17, 2003). (Blue Ribbon Schools Recognition - Year 2003)

8. Forty-five organizations, including many county offices of education, were approved as field School Assistance and Intervention Teams (SAIT) to help improve student achievement in California's lowest performing schools. The SAIT process was substantially revised this past year to focus more directly on improving instruction. (II/USP - High Priority/Interventions)

9. The CDE distributed $28.6 billion to local education agencies to pay for the operation of public schools, including charter schools in California. The CDE also allocated to school districts $10 billion in state bond funds to build new schools and modernize old ones. Of this amount, $100 million went to charter schools. (School Fiscal Services Division - Organization)

10. California opened 173 new schools, including 38 elementary, 16 middle, 35 high schools, and 84 other facilities such as continuation and alternative schools. (Schools & Districts - School Identification)

"These are among the greatest gifts of all for the holidays," added O'Connell. "May all of you have a safe and wonderful holiday season."