April 25, 2006
Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Announces
2006 California Distinguished Schools
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced that a record 377 California public elementary schools have been selected as 2006 California Distinguished Schools.
Chosen from 190 school districts in 40 counties, the schools represent the largest number of elementary school awardees in the 21-year history of the California School Recognition Program and were selected from the largest number of eligible elementary schools to date. For the complete list, please visit Distinguished School Awards.
"These schools are the best of the best. They share a vision of excellence and they have brought that vision to life," said O'Connell, who called each school principal on Monday to personally give them the good news. "Hearing the excitement and the pride in their voices was incredible. These deserving school leaders and their teachers, staffs, and students have worked extremely hard to achieve academic success and this recognition.
"From listening to their stories, it is obvious they are all deeply committed to ensuring their children have every opportunity to learn. They are truly examples of excellence," he said.
The California School Recognition Program is extending its year-long celebration of its 20th anniversary to elementary schools in 2006. The California School Recognition Program was created in 1985 to publicize and reinforce the priorities of the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The program identifies and honors some of the state's most exemplary and inspiring public schools with the California Distinguished School Award. Although participation is voluntary, the award is highly sought after by schools in all areas of the state.
Approximately 5 percent of California's public schools are selected each year, and no fewer than 40 counties are typically represented.
Elementary and secondary schools are recognized during alternate years. Of the more than 5,000 elementary schools in the state, 2,043 were eligible to apply for the Distinguished School honor based upon their Academic Performance Index (API) and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) results. The 997 schools that filed applications this year underwent a rigorous selection process conducted by the California Department of Education (CDE) in partnership with the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA), and with the help of many local educators from across the state.
The 377 awardees for 2006 represent the largest number of elementary schools ever selected, topping the 302 elementary school awardees in 2004, the last elementary school cycle.
O'Connell also applauded California's 35 nominees for the 2006 national No Child Left Behind – Blue Ribbon Schools Program. These schools will be honored along with the 2006 California Distinguished Schools on May 26 at an awards ceremony and dinner at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. The Disneyland Resort, which is celebrating its own 50th anniversary this year, is the major corporate sponsor of the event.
For more information about the California School Recognition Program, please visit California School Recognition Program.
The awards ceremony is funded by generous contributions from corporate, foundation, and association donations, as well as the attending schools' registration fees. The following is a list of donors according to their level of contribution:
Visionary ($15,000)
Belkin Corporation
California Community Foundation
California Teachers Association
The Disneyland Resort
Wells Fargo
Champion ($10,000)
Washington Mutual
Benefactor ($5,000)
AT&T
The Boeing Company
Associate ($2,500)
Bank of America Foundation
California Conservatory of the Arts
California State Lottery
California School Employees Association
California's Coalition for Adequate School Housing
IBM Corporation
Pepsi
WestEd
Supporter ($1,000)
Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau
Apple Computer
Association of School Administrators
California Association of School Business Officials
California County Superintendents Educational Services Association
California School Boards Association
California State PTA
Chevron
Great Water
GTECH
Ingram Micro, Inc.
The J. Paul Getty Trust
Lucasfilm Ltd.
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc.
