Release: #05-159
December 30, 2005

Contact: Tina Jung
E-mail: communications@cde.ca.gov
Phone: 916-319-0818

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today summed up the past year's activities as he unveiled his Top 10 list of accomplishments of the California Department of Education (CDE) for 2005:

"In reviewing our accomplishments from 2005, we have much to be proud of in public education," said O'Connell. "Student test scores improved, CDE distributed millions of dollars in grants, and awarded teachers and students for their accomplishments. Although our schools are still struggling as a result of state budget cuts, we can celebrate the many steps taken to improve public education and help students improve their academic performance. On behalf of all the employees at CDE, I would like to wish all Californians great joy in the New Year."

Here is O'Connell's Top 10 list.

1. Test scores improved:

• Students made widespread gains in the 2005 Standardized Testing and Reporting Program in nearly every subject and grade level tested.  For more information, please visit Press Release - 2005 STAR Program Results - Year 2005.
• 81 percent of public schools made significant gains this year in reaching their Academic Performance Index schoolwide growth targets, a 17-point increase over 2004. Also, 83 percent of California schools posted increases in overall academic growth, compared to 64 percent last year. Gains in API, Mixed Results in AYP for 2005 - Year 2005.
• More than 1.3 million English learners in California who took the annual California English Language Development Test in the 2004-05 school year showed that 48 percent scored at early advanced or advanced overall in English proficiency, compared to 43 percent in 2003-04.  Gains in English Learners' Proficiency - Year 2005 and California English Language Development Test (CELDT) Reports.
• CDE is continuing the effort to improve student academic achievement by convening the California P-16 Council that is also examining ways to eliminate the achievement gap and link education from preschool to college in order to create a seamless system of learning. P-16 Council Meets; New Members Named - Year 2005.

2. CDE supported measures and convened a committee to combat the epidemic of childhood obesity because research shows when students have a healthy diet, exercise, and feel good about themselves, they do better in school:

• Senate Bill 12 restricts the amount of fat, sugar, and calories an individually sold food item can contain. SB 965 limits the type of beverages that can be sold on high school campuses during school hours to water, milk, juice, and electrolyte replacement drinks.  SB 281 created the California Fresh Pilot Program to provide school districts with an additional 10 cents per serving of fruit or vegetables as part of the School Breakfast Program.  Nutrition Bills Passed - Year 2005.
• To assist schools and communities in their fight against childhood obesity, Superintendent O'Connell established the Advisory Committee on Nutrition Implementation Strategies. The Committee developed a comprehensive set of strategies that schools can use to improve the quality of food and beverages sold or served on school campuses. Its final report will be available in the spring of 2006. Committee on Nutrition Implementation Strategies - Year 2005.
• Columbia Elementary School District, Los Angeles Unified School District, and North Cow Creek Elementary School District were recognized through the Superintendents' Challenge Program for exceptional efforts in the development and implementation of policies that support healthy eating and physical activity. Superintendents' Challenge Winners for 2005 - Year 2005.

3. CDE took several measures to increase efficiency and save taxpayer dollars:

• The Superintendent's Paperwork Reduction Initiative, Assembly Bill 110, was signed into law to reduce the bureaucratic burden on school districts by deleting duplicative data collection required by law.  CDE is on track to eliminate more than 37 percent of paperwork that costs school districts about $315 per data collection.  Paperwork Reduction Act Becomes Law - Year 2005.
• CDE developed the Clearinghouse for Multilingual Documents project that allows schools to enter and share information on where they may access education-related documents translated into non-English languages.  This is expected to eliminate duplicative translations and save schools time, money, and work.  Clearinghouse for Multilingual Documents - Year 2005.
• From January to November 2005, the public has successfully accessed information from CDE Web pages 57,429,254 times.

4. In an ongoing series of negotiations, CDE has successfully sought more flexibility with the U.S. Department of Education in measuring how students perform on tests:

• The U.S. Department of Education is soliciting applications for a new 10-state pilot project allowing qualifying states to incorporate the use of a growth model of accountability for the No Child Left Behind act.  O'Connell has been at the forefront of a national bipartisan group of his counterparts from 15 states in support of a growth model.  Growth Model to Measure NCLB Progress - Year 2005.  California's growth model, however, is defined differently from the new federal definition and criteria and, as such, would not qualify for the pilot program. California will apply for a different flexibility opportunity for states using that use "index" model of accountability. That application is due in April 2006.

5. CDE recognized 210 schools for their extraordinary accomplishments:

• 192 California public middle schools and high schools were selected as 2005 California Distinguished Schools for having exemplary programs.  Distinguished Schools for 2005 - Year 2005.
• 11 California schools were designated 2005 Model Continuation High Schools for having outstanding programs to help at-risk students stay in school.  Model Continuation High Schools for 2005 - Year 2005.
• Bernice Ayer Middle School, John F. Kennedy Middle School, Millikan Middle School, and Rancho Milpitas Middle School were designated as the 2005 California's Schools To Watch – Taking Center Stage for representing examples of high-performing middle schools that are academically excellent, responsive to the needs of students, socially equitable, and organized in a way to sustain improvement and reform.  Model Middle Schools for 2005 - Year 2005.

6. CDE recognized 291 California schools that were honored by other organizations for their extraordinary accomplishments:

• 34 California public schools and seven private schools were named the 2005 No Child Left Behind—Blue Ribbon Schools for showing dramatic growth and high achievement. NCLB-Blue Ribbon Schools for 2005 - Year 2005.
• 248 California schools received the 2004-05 Title I Academic Achievement Awards for making significant progress in assisting students to become proficient or advanced in California's academic content standards.  Title I Academic Achievement Awards 2004-05 - Year 2005.
• Camellia Elementary School and Palo Verde Elementary won national Title I Distinguished School Awards for outstanding student performance by the National Title I Conference.  Two Schools Nominated for National Award - Year 2005.

7. CDE recognized several teachers and students for excellence in education academic accomplishment:

• CDE named five extraordinary teachers as California Teachers of the Year for 2006, including Diana Barnhart, Denis Cruz, Kenneth Dyar, Kelly Jean Hanock, and Shelbi J. Wilson.  Cruz will go on to represent California in the National Teacher of the Year competition.  California Teachers of the Year for 2006 - Year 2005.
• CDE named two exceptional California high school students to receive the prestigious U.S. Senate Youth Program annual scholarships of $5,000 and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. to see their government in action.  The delegates are Nora Claire Barr and Vanessa Lugo.  The alternates are Vishaal Naishadh Buch and Andrew Hwa Mok.  USSYP Delegates for 2006 - Year 2005.

8. CDE issued millions of dollars in grants to 303 education agencies to create programs to improve student achievement:

• 65 grants were awarded nearly $23-million in federal Public Charter Schools Grants to develop and open high-quality charter schools in the state. An additional four grants were awarded to disseminate best practices developed in high-quality charter schools to other charter schools and traditional schools.   New Grants for Charter Schools - Year 2005.
• 55 county offices of education were awarded more than $7.5 million in grants from the Foster Youth Services Countywide Program to provide academic and social support services to foster youth, aged four to 21, living in licensed children's institutions, or group homes in California. Foster Youth Services Grants 2005 - Year 2005.
• 97 before- and after-school programs were awarded renewable grants under the After School Education and Safety Program to fund programs that provide tutoring or homework assistance for K-9 students in core academics and educational enrichment.  After School Education and Safety Program Grants - Year 2005.
• 12 local education agencies shared $2 million in Healthy Start grants in which schools partner with community groups to provide K-12 students and their families with access to health and social services.  Healthy Start Grants for 2005 - Year 2005.
• 29 local education agencies received $31 million in Enhancing Education Through Technology Competitive Program Grants and nearly 900local education agencies received an equivalent $31 million to integrate technology into the curriculum. These funds will help students to prepare for high school, college, or jobs in an increasingly technology-rich and academically competitive future. Education Technology Grant Winners for 2005 - Year 2005.
• 17 local education agencies were awarded $3.55 million in 21st Century High School After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens Program grants. The program provides students in these 21 high schools with a safe environment for academic enrichment activities. High School After-School Grants - Year 2005
• 41 education partnerships were awarded more than $33 million in California Mathematics and Science Partnership grants to improve the content and teaching skills of educators in math and science with the ultimate goal of improving student achievement in those areas.  California Math and Science Partnership Grants - Year 2005.

9. CDE successfully partnered with the community to raise tens of thousands of dollars to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina, feed the hungry, and help those less fortunate:

• More than 500 California schools raised $864,054.15 in the California Kids Care program to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina.  One child gave all the money he was saving for a white German shepherd puppy that inspired O'Connell and Long Beach community leader Bob Foster to give the student the puppy as a thank you gift.  O'Connell Gives Puppy to Student - Year 2005.
• CDE employees participated in the 2006 State Employee's Food Drive and raised $20,829.43 in cash and 2,598.95 pounds of food.  That's the equivalent of 54,673 pounds of food to feed the hungry and represented a 69 percent increase over last year's donations.
• CDE employees participated in the 2005 California State Employees Charitable Campaign and pledged $86,493 for various nonprofit organizations to benefit those less fortunate.

10. CDE was recognized by a national organization for excellence in leadership:

• For the second time in as many years, CDE was awarded the prestigious 2005 Partnership State Award from the National Network of Partnership Schools at Johns Hopkins University for exhibiting excellent leadership in developing family, school, and community partnership programs, designed to help students succeed in school. CDE Wins National Partnership Award - Year 2005.