September 22, 2005
Schools Chief O'Connell Congratulates San Francisco Unified
School District on Being Named a 2006 Broad Prize Finalist
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today congratulated the San Francisco Unified School District on being named a finalist in the 2005 Broad Prize for Urban Education by the Los Angeles-based Broad Foundation, a venture philanthropy.
"I am extremely proud of the dedicated efforts by all those in the district who have worked extremely hard not only to improve student achievement, but to reduce the achievement gap as well," O'Connell said. "It must be gratifying that their success is being recognized on the national stage."
The announcement of the winner, Norfolk Public Schools, and the four finalists was made Tuesday in Washington D.C. by founder Eli Broad, who was joined by U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings.
In addition to San Francisco, the other finalists were: Aldine Independent School District near Houston, Boston Public Schools, and New York City Department of Education. Each district will receive $125,000.
More than 80 urban school districts nationwide were eligible for The Broad Prize this year.
The Board Foundation noted a number of areas where San Francisco Unified School District excelled, including being a consistent high performer among demographically similar districts in California and outperforming similar districts; and its income achievement gaps were significantly smaller than the state average and were closing faster than the state in both reading and math.
The Broad Foundation's Internet address is http://www.broadfoundation.org/ (Outside Source).
