Schools Seek Distinction in State Contest
By AnnMarie Cornejo, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Dec. 13–Several elementary schools in San Luis Obispo County last week postmarked their applications in the hopes of becoming California Distinguished Schools — one of the state’s highest educational awards.
Eighteen elementary schools became eligible to apply this year because of charted academic growth in their state test scores required under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Schools must meet growth targets, including subgroups such as English learners, to qualify.
But not all of the schools applied.
Winifred Pifer Elementary School in Paso Robles and a handful of other schools throughout the county chose not to submit an application.
“We are very proud of the growth we made,” said Pifer Principal Karen Wright. “However, after careful consideration, we decided not to apply for the award this year, because the application process can be quite time-consuming.
“Many of the staff members thought it would be better time spent continuing to strengthen our curriculum and focusing on the ongoing academic success of our students,” she added.
To become a Distinguished School, staff must complete a lengthy application covering 10 criteria, including test scores, programs and community involvement. A team of local and state educators then visits to verify the information.
Selected schools will be honored at a statewide awards ceremony. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell also will give each school a plaque and a flag. No cash awards are given.
North Oceano Elementary Principal Mike Miller said that his staff began working on the application several weeks ago.
“We decided to use this as an opportunity to really look over what we are doing,” said Miller. “It is an involved process, but it has really been a good tool for many of our staff members to focus in on some of our programs.”
This is the first time that the Grover Beach school, of which more than half the student body qualifies as economically disadvantaged, has qualified to apply.
Miller credits the school’s academic growth to a strong staff and a “fabulous” group of students. The school’s academic performance index, or API, grew by more than 150 points this year.
The state API is a scale from 200 to 1,000 — with a state goal of 800 — and is compiled using results from state tests. The API measures growth from one year to the next.
“We have met the growth and exceeded growth targets in each of the significant subgroups,” Miller said.
The schools that did apply this week have a long wait before they find out if they will receive the award.
The state Department of Education will spend the next six to eight weeks reviewing the applications and will then notify select schools that a representative will be coming to campus sometime at the beginning of next year.
The award is given to schools for their total education program, which includes having high expectations of students, meeting state academic standards and demonstrating strong leadership.
Three local schools, Paulding Middle School in Arroyo Grande, Morro Bay High School and Templeton High School, were recognized as Distinguished Schools in 2005.
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