SACRAMENTO — In keeping with his call to improve achievement for all high school students, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today named 21 California schools as 2004 Model Continuation High Schools. A list of the schools is attached.

"My High Achieving High School initiative is focused on implementing high expectations for all students whether they choose to go on to college or straight to a career," O'Connell said. "These 21 schools serve as excellent examples for other continuation high schools that may want to follow their instructional strategies. Model continuation high schools ensure that students with diverse needs succeed in school and are supported in seeking better job opportunities or college."

The California Department of Education's (CDE) Continuation Education program has been an option for students since 1919 for those in need of more flexible school schedules with an emphasis on vocational or career goals. This program is designed to meet the needs of students aged 16 through 18 who have not graduated from high school, are not exempt from compulsory school attendance, and are deemed at risk of not completing their schooling. More than 68,000 California high school students attended 522 continuation high schools in 2002-03.

Schools applying for model school designation must demonstrate elements including program effectiveness, school management, curriculum, instructional strategies, assessment and evaluation, education climate, and guidance and counseling. Parents, students, and community members also submit narrative statements supporting their respective schools. A review team visits finalist schools before recommending them to O'Connell for model school status.

The CDE works in partnership with the California Continuation Education Association to identify Model Continuation High Schools. Chosen schools retain their title for five years. The 21 schools named today will join 87 previously designated schools. For more information on Continuation Education, please visit Continuation Education - Educational Options. For more information about the California Continuation Education Association, please visit California Continuation Education Association [http://www.cceanet.org/] (Outside Source). For more information on O'Connell's education reform efforts, please visit State of Education - Initiatives.

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Attachment

Model Continuation High School Recognition Program Finalists for 2004

1. Alta Vista High School, Vista Unified School District, Larry Ullrich, Principal, 1575 Bonair Drive, Vista, CA 92084.
2. Alta Vista High School, Mountain View/Altos Union High School District, Bill Pierce, Principal, 1299 Bryant Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94040.
3. Aurora High School, Calexico Unified School District, Dan Plough, Principal, 641 Rockwood Avenue, Calexico, CA 92231.
4. Calaveras Hills High School, Milpitas Unified School District, Paul Cauchi, Principal, 1331 E. Calaveras Boulevard, Milpitas, CA 95035.
5. Chaparral High School, Bonita Unified School District, Dennis W. King, Principal, 121 W. Allen Avenue, San Dimas, CA 91773-1437.
6. Community High School, Moorpark Unified School District, Gabino Aguirre, Principal, 5700 Condor Drive, Moorpark, CA 93021.
7. Earl F. Johnson High School, Hanford Joint Union High School District, Steve France, Principal, 120 East Grangeville Boulevard, Hanford, CA 93230.
8. Garfield High School, San Diego Unified School District, Jolie Pickett, Principal, 1255 16th Street, San Diego, CA 92101-4579.
9. Hillview High School, Tustin Unified School District, Andrew Hernandez, Principal, 19061 Foothill Boulevard, Santa Ana, CA  92705-2275.
10. Humboldt Bay High School, Eureka City Unified School District, Georgeanne Fulston-Pucillo, Principal, 2100 J Street, Eureka, CA 95501.
11. Laguna High School, West Sonoma County Union High School District, Ross Bickford, Principal, 445 Taft Street, Sebastopol, CA 95472.
12. Lopez High School, Lucia Mar Unified School District, Pam Ables, Principal, 1055 Mesa View Drive, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420.
13. Maple High School, Lompoc Unified School District, Richard Eatmon, Principal, 1 Carob Street, Vandenberg AFB, CA 93437.
14. Mojave High School, Hesperia Unified School District, Arlene Gluck, Principal, 16633 Lemon, Hesperia, CA 92345
15. New Valley High School, Santa Clara Unified School District, William Chapman, Principal, 1875 Lawrence Road, Santa Clara, CA 95051.
16. Nueva High School, Kern Union High School District, James Caswell, Principal, 8600 Palm Avenue, Lamont, CA 93241.
17. Pacific Career & Technology High School, Grant Joint Union High School District, Michael J. Crosetti, Principal, 3800 Bolivar Avenue, North Highlands, CA 95660.
18. Rancho del Mar High School, Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, Rosemary Humphrey, Principal, 38 Crest Road West, Rolling Hills, CA 90274-5058.
19. Santana High School, Rowland Unified School District, Luciano E. deSylva, Principal, 1006 Otterbein Street, Rowland Heights, CA 91748.
20. Travis Education Center High School, Travis Unified School District, Stacy L. Burke, Principal, 2775 DeRonde Drive, Fairfield, CA 94533.
21. Yosemite High School, Merced Union High School District, Doug Creighton, Principal, 1900 G Street, Merced, CA 95344-0419.