'Shrek' brings message of individuals working together to Mira Mesa High

Performances of "Shrek, The Musical" by the theater program at Mira Mesa High lead to great spirits all around the campus.

Students spread the word to “let your freak flag fly” and encouraged students to be themselves and be proud of their individuality. According to Principal Scott Giusti, the show celebrates our differences.

"'What makes us special, makes us strong!' are the themes of the show," said Daniel Kriley, the show's director and a College Career and Technical Education teacher at the school. "One of the things we strive for at Mira Mesa High are the messages in the show: 'We are different and united. You are us, and we are you.'”

Giusti praised Kriley, who has been producing musicals at Mira Mesa High for more than a decade. Superintendent Cindy Marten was among those attending performances.

Mira Mesa High School theater students collaborated with the school’s band and orchestra to bring live musical performances from the orchestra pit. The Mira Mesa High School Madrigals and choir program also joined forces with the show to bring their knowledge and experience to train fellow students in the theater program. Student led lunchtime performances, student run daily broadcast announcements, and the actual performances and technical theater cast helped bring the Mira Mesa High School campus and community alive.

For more about Shrek the Musical, contact Kriley at dkriley@sandi.net.

La Jolla High students show they can read and analyze on a national level

Three students representing La Jolla High School have won high honors in a prose and poetry reading and analysis competition.

In the year's third WordWright Challenge meet, Viking junior Alma Halgren was one of only six students in grade 11 around the country to earn a perfect score, while sophomores Clayton Halbert and Jonathan Mandel both placed among the 157 highest-scoring grade 10 student nationwide.

More than 69,000 high school students from some of the best public and private high schools in 47 states entered the meet. English teacher Jewel Weien supervised the La Jolla students.

The WordWright Challenge is a national reading competition for students in grades 9-12 that requires analytical reading of many kinds of prose and poetry. It emphasizes perceptive interpretation, sensitivity to language, and an appreciation of style.

For more information on the program, contact Weien at jweien@sandi.net.

Budget process for 2014-15 "puts students and schools first"

Planning for the 2014-15 school year "reflects our collective vision" and is being shaped by a multi-disciplinary team, Superintendent Cindy Marten told the Board of Education when she presented her proposed 2014-15 budget on Jan. 21. The team approached the process, Marten explained, by reviewing the district’s vision for equity and excellence in all schools and classrooms rather than asking how much money is available and how much needs to be cut. The proposed budget puts the priorities squarely on students with improvements and enhancements to educational program, including:

• Lowering class sizes for grades K-3;
• Full restoration of the instructional school year to 180 days;
• Improving school allocations that will make sure all schools are fully staffed and ready for students on the first day of school;
• Closing the achievement gap by the end of first grade;
• Investing in essential programs like Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), International Baccalaureate (IB), biliteracy programs, specialty arts programs, early literacy intervention and transitional kindergarten.

The Board of Education unanimously approved the superintendent's proposal.

"Our balanced budget proposal for 2014-15 puts students first with smaller class sizes, opening libraries, and supporting GATE, visual and performing arts, IB programs, graduation coaches and professional learning communities," said Board President Kevin Beiser. "The focus on reducing class size next year is great news for kids."

While budget challenges remain, the fiscal outlook is changing. San Diego Unified has a multi-year approach towards closing the deficit due to the scale of the recession of the past six years. San Diego Unified will work to implement the new budget model, the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) with equity as a central tenet. Stakeholders will have more opportunity to give input at five forums the district will hold in February and March. The first forum is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Memorial Preparatory Middle School, 2850 Logan Ave. (92113).

Watch the video of the superintendent's board presentation.

Two La Jolla High teams win national reading and analysis competition

Two teams from La Jolla High have won highest honors in the 2013 WordWright Challenge, a national competition for high school students requiring close reading and analysis of many different kinds of prose and poetry.

Juniors Alma Halgren and Gabrielle Pearson, as well as sophomore Clay Halbert, earned perfect scores. Other students participating and receiving high individual honors were sophomores, Nico Nave and Thomas Godek.

La Jolla High English teacher Jewel Weien uses the WordWright competition as part of her instruction. The WordWright Challenge is a national reading competition for students in grades 9-12 that requires analytical reading of many kinds of prose and poetry. It emphasizes perceptive interpretation, sensitivity to language, and an appreciation of style. More than 54,000 students from some of the best public and private high schools in 46 states (and four foreign nations) participated last year.

Overall, two teams from La Jolla High won highest honors in the competition, with the school's 11th grade team tied for eighth in the nation.

The tests for the first WordWright in this school year were a short story by Tess Hadley for grades 9-10 and a pair of essays by Thomas Carlyle and Frank Bruni (written more than 150 years apart) for grades 11-12. The students will participate in three more WordWright meets during this school year, with awards going to students who make the most progress during the year.

For more information on the program, contact Weien at jweien@sandi.net, and on the program at wordwrightchallenge.com.

San Diego Unified Tops State's Big District in English Language Arts, Science Scores

Overall results mirror slim gains statewide as achievement gap persists

Students in the San Diego Unified School District performed better than their counterparts in the other large California school districts on English Language Arts and Science tests in 2012, according to results of the annual Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) assessments released today by the California Department of Education.

However, across the state scores "slipped by a fraction of a percentage point this year as schools dealt with ongoing budget reductions and the transition to the Common Core State Standards," state Supt. Tom Torlakson said in prepared remarks. San Diego Unified's results showed little gain or loss.

The data show that among the state's largest school districts, San Diego Unified has the top scores in English Language Arts and NCLB Science; San Francisco and Garden Grove are the next in line. Other large districts used in the comparison are those in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Fresno, San Bernardino, Sacramento and Oakland.

"Our scores this year reflect the leveling off that has been seen around the state," said Dr. John Lee Evans, Board of Education president. "Despite draconian budget cuts over the last six years, our teachers and students have remained focused on teaching and learning. Now it appears those billions of dollars in budget cuts are starting to catch up with us."

Evans noted that the budget pressures are easing with the Governor's new Local Control Funding Formula, which will allow local districts more discretion over spending, and the additional funds which will come from last year's passage of Prop. 30.

"We're not out of the woods yet, but I believe that the new funding sources will allow us to resume the past momentum," he said.

The challenge of eliminating the achievement gaps between ethnic groups continues. For example, in English Language Arts, Hispanics showed a slight gain, while other groups showed a slight loss; all of the losses and gains across the various subjects were less than 2 percent.

"We're looking forward to the implementation of the Common Core State Standards, which will help students think more critically and deeply," said Dr. Nellie Meyer, Deputy Superintendent School Support Services. "This will ensure a strong and consistent education for all students."

Superintendent Cindy Marten said the test scores show the district is on the right track.

"You can't judge us alone by our test scores, but comparing us to other, similar large districts certainly shows the hard work done by everyone at San Diego Unified," she said. "These scores will help us focus our work on creating quality schools in every neighborhood; I call on all San Diegans to do what they can to help us build a great district."

• Download statistical charts»

Retired teachers give $1,500 scholarships to 13 students

San Diego retired teachers, members of the California Retired Teacher Association (CalRTA) Division 4, have awarded 13 local high school seniors $1,500.

High school seniors were judged on their academic achievement, school leadership, extra curricular activities, community/volunteer service, financial need, and work/home activities.

The 2013 scholarship recipients are: Miguel Anzelmetti, Jr., San Diego; Calvin Yao, University City; Brandon Khuu-Preuss, Irena Tang-Serra,Tyrone McCauley, Lincoln; Samantha Macam-Morse, Brenden Zounes, Point Loma; Thao Tran-Crawford, Amanda Robinson-Scripps, Diem Tran, Hoover; Jordyn Rine, Clairemont; and Ashleigh Bugos, Kearny.

The scholarship recipients have an average grade point of 3.90 and will be attending UCLA, UCSD, UC San Franicisco and UC Berkeley. Their diverse areas of study include bio-engineering, neurosciences, chemistry, psychology, and teaching.

CalRTA is proud of its scholarship program that recognizes deserving, hard-working, and intelligent young people.

For further information about CalRTA, contact Carol Patrick at carolclaytorpatrick@yahoo.com or http://area11.calrta.org/Div4.html.

Additional National Merit Scholarships go to SD Unified students

Two additional San Diego Unified students -- both from Scripps Ranch High School -- are receiving congratulations for successfully completing the rigorous process for receiving a National Merit Scholarship.

Mark R. Saddler has received the National Merit University of Chicago Scholarship. According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which administers the grants, Saddler will be attending the University of Chicago in the fall and plans a career in medical research.
Karli R. Holman has received the National Merit Westmont College scholarship. She's headed toward a career in medicine, according to National Merit.

In making the announcement that approximately 2,500 winners of National Merit Scholarships financed by U.S. colleges and universities, National Merit officials said each sponsor college selected its scholarship winners from among the finalists in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institution.

These awards are $500-2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship.

An additional group of Scholars will be announced in July, bringing the total number of college-sponsored Merit Scholarship recipients in the 2013 competition to approximately 4,500. This year, 190 higher education institutions are underwriting Merit Scholarship awards through the National Merit Scholarship Program. Sponsor colleges and universities include 113 private and 77 public institutions located in 44 states and the District of Columbia.

Two weeks ago, students receiving Merit Scholar grants were announced. The students were: from La Jolla High, Marian Dorst, Kathleen Fan, Marisa C. Nienberg; Scripps Ranch High's Kenneth Xu has also been honored.

63 schools get star treatment from California business group

The California Business for Education Excellence has named 63 San Diego Unified School District schools and charter schools to its annual honor roll.

The 2012 Honor Roll includes public elementary, middle and high schools recognized for demonstrating consistently high levels of student academic achievement, improvement in achievement over time, and reduction in achievement gaps. For high schools, Honor Roll recognition includes measures of college readiness.

The 2,108 Honor Roll schools statewide is a record, according to the group, and includes871 higher poverty schools that are increasing academic performance and closing the achievement gap, and 100 “STEM” schools that excel in science and mathematics. 

“We have schools throughout the state that are getting it right for all students and this should not be a secret,” said Greg Jones, Chairman of California Business for Education Excellence and past member of the California State Board of Education. “To ensure more of our schools succeed, we must change the conversation from being about fixing failing schools to one that focuses on replicating the success of schools like those on the Honor Roll.”

Over time, the group has identified a common set of success factors in higher performing Honor Roll schools and districts. These include high expectations for all students; ongoing collaboration among teachers to improve practice; targeted use of data to pinpoint challenges and monitor progress; continual intervention for struggling students; and mastery of content knowledge and pedagogical practices.

“Honor Roll schools are overcoming challenges and obstacles every day for all students and are especially succeeding with kids who have been historically underserved. Our goal is to highlight their results, and provide a voice to these outstanding educators so that their success can be emulated in other places, “ said Jim Lanich, California Business for Education Excellence president.

The Honor Roll list grew from 261 schools when the program began in 2005 to the current 2,108 for 2012. The number of Honor Roll STAR (higher poverty, high achieving) schools increased from 74 in 2005 in to 871 in 2012. A full list of the Honor Roll schools and districts can be found at: www.cbee.org.

The annual Honor Roll program is made possible with support from numerous businesses and organizations including State Farm, Macy’s, Edison International, Wells Fargo, Southern California Auto Club, Enterprise Rent-­A-­Car, the California Business Roundtable, and several private foundations. Chevron Corporation provided specific support in the creation of the STEM Honor Roll.

2012 Star Schools

High poverty, high performing, achievement gap closing schools

• Alcott Elementary
• Angier Elementary
• Baker Elementary
• Barnard Elementary
• Birney Elementary
• Challenger Middle
• Correia Middle
• Crown Point Elementary
• Edison Elementary
• Ericson Elementary
• Fletcher Elementary
• Green Elementary
• Hamilton Elementary
• Hardy Elementary
• Innovation Middle
• Jones Elementary
• Kearny Digital Media & Design
• Kimbrough Elementary
• King-Chavez Arts Academy
• King-Chavez Primary Academy
• Lewis Middle
• Loma Portal Elementary
• Mira Mesa High
• Pacific Beach Elementary
• Pacific Beach Middle
• Paradise Hills Elementary
• Perry Elementary
• Pershing Middle
• Point Loma High
• Preuss School UCSD
• San Diego International Studies
• San Diego SCPA
• Sandburg Elementary
• Tierrasanta Elementary
• Toler Elementary
• University City High
• Vista Grande Elementary

Scholar Schools

High performing schools without significant levels of low-income students

• Benchley/Weinberger Elementary
• Bird Rock Elementary
• Curie Elementary
• Dailard Elementary
• Dingeman Elementary
• Doyle Elementary
• Einstein Academy
• Grant K-8
• Hearst Elementary
• Holmes Elementary
• Jerabek Elementary
• Kumeyaay Elementary
• La Jolla Elementary
• La Jolla High
• Marshall Middle
• Marvin Elementary
• Miramar Ranch Elementary
• Muirlands Middle
• Old Town Academy K-8 Charter
• Scripps Elementary
• Scripps Ranch High
• Sessions Elementary
• Silver Gate Elementary
• Standley Middle
• Sunset View Elementary
• Torrey Pines Elementary

STEM Schools

Honor Roll schools with higher poverty and higher performance in math and science

• Green Elementary
• Jones Elementary
• Pacific Beach Elementary
• Sandburg Elementary
• Tierrasanta Elementary
• Vista Grande Elementary

Kearny International Business, King-Chavez Primary Academy Charter get Academic Achievement Award

Kearny High School of International Business and the King-Chavez Primary Academy Charter have received the 2012-13 Title I Academic Achievement Award from the California Department of Education.

The schools must be part of the federal Title I program, which helps students who live in communities where families are classified as low-income, and show sustained progress in academic improvement among low-income students.

This is the second honor in a week for the Kearny School of International Business. On Thursday, the school was named a California Distinguished School for 2013. A list of previous district schools receiving the award is available online.

"The students at Kearny International Business have shown continuing improvement in their academic achievements," said Superintendent Bill Kowba. "The hard work by the principal, teachers and staff, and the students has resulted in these important recognitions."

According to the California Department of Education, the school must demonstrate that all students are making significant progress toward proficiency on California's academic content standards. Additionally, the school's socioeconomically disadvantaged students must have doubled the achievement targets set for them for two consecutive years.

“These schools serve students facing real challenges, and they’ve risen to meet them through hard work and dedication,” California Superintended Torlakson said. “It is inspiring to see their students achieve more in the classroom today so they can enjoy more opportunity in the years to come.”

For more information, go to the California Department of Education website.

Common Core State Standards moving from paper to the classroom

The Common Core State Standards are designed to reflect the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. The Next Generation Assessments, which are aligned to the new standards, are scheduled to be implemented in 2014-15. San Diego Unified is already in the process of implementing the standards into classroom curriculum.

Common learning goals provide a clear vision of what educators and parents in all states should aim for. These learning goals help ensure that students meet college and work expectations, are prepared to succeed in a global economy and society, and are provided with rigorous content and application of higher knowledge thinking. Benchmarked against international standards, the Common Core Standards assist students in their preparation to complete the requirements for enrollment at a California public university

To learn more, watch a three-minute video and visit www.sandi.net/commoncore .

Montgomery Middle School Picked for Medical Detectives program

Montgomery Middle School in Linda Vista is part of a 30-school nationwide test of the Medical Detectives curriculum, giving its students the opportunity to explore mysteries in biomedical sciences through hands-on projects and labs.

Students investigate medical careers, vital signs, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, as well as human body systems such as the nervous system. Genetic testing for hereditary diseases and DNA crime scene analysis put the students in the place of real life medical detectives. According to the program's authors, Project Lead the Way, the unit will be field tested spring 2013 and made available to the network for the 2013-14 school year.

Project Lead The Way is a non-profit provider of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum and professional development to middle and high schools.

Montgomery will be adding to an already successful Project Lead the Way program that features offerings for students in grades 6-8. Medical Detectives adds additional variety to a curriculum that already includes such topics as design and modeling using CAD software, automation and robotics, and architecture. 

 

Justin Goodrich is the instructor selected to pilot the course at Montgomery. Approximately 30 teachers nationwide will be piloting the unit. These teachers will be the lead instructors of professional development training for the teachers who wish to implement the Medical Detectives unit when it officially rolls out for the 2013–14 school year. There are more than 5,200 Project Lead the Way programs in more than 4,200 schools nationwide.


Montgomery Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 450 students in grades 6–8. The strong instructional program consists of courses in the core subjects (English, mathematics, social studies, and science). Elective courses include computer technology, Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID), yearbook, dance, band, orchestra, Spanish, engineering, math and science projects, Associated Student Body, drama, and art. The Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program includes “cluster” and “seminar” classes. The Special Education department provides supports for students who qualify for services. The YMCA’s PrimeTime and PRYDE After School Programs assist students before and after school with homework and extra curricular activities. Classroom tutors are provided in collaboration with local universities.


For additional information, contact teacher Justin Goodrich at jgoodrich@sandi.net.

Barnard Elementary selected as a top Mandarin Chinese school

Principal Eddie Park

Barnard Mandarin Chinese Magnet School in Pt. Loma has received international recognition as one of four top Confucius Classrooms out of more than 500 worldwide.

The school was nominated by its local partner, the Confucius Institute at San Diego State University, which received a $1 million grant at the same time the honors were announce for Barnard.

"Our Barnard community is thrilled and proud to hear that the program was recognized as being one of the best in the world," said Principal Eddie Park, who traveled to China in December to receive the award. The school received the prestigious California Distinguished School honor in 2010.

Located in the Loma Portal neighborhood, Barnard has gone from struggling to international recognition since the Mandarin Chinese program started in 2007 under former principal Mary Watry. Park, who succeeded the retiring Watry a year later, told U-T San Diego in February 2012 what hard work on the part of staff, parents and students can do.

“This is a testimony of a successful public school,” he told the newspaper. “There is a lot of news about failing public schools these days. A lot of people are talking about how our education system is broken. We turned a failing public around. This is a school parents are now seeking out. It is a California Distinguished School. This shows you what you can do when you work hard, get the resources you need and have the support of the parents, the community, the staff and the children.”

The school has several native-speaking Mandarin Chinese teachers and the language is taught in all grades, while maintaining state and district standards. It also uses technology – the internet and smart boards purchased through funds from voter-approved bonds – to allow students to have real-time teleconferences with schools in China and Taiwan.

"The educational community is also part of our team at Barnard," said Park. "From our literacy specialist, Maria Nichols, and Mary Waldron of the district's Office of Language Acquisition, to Dr. Lily Cheng at SDSU and even the Utah Dual Language Consortium, all contribute to create amazing opportunities for our group of kids in kindergarten through fourth grade."

The success of the program is prompting a move to the larger campus of Bayview Terrace Elementary School in Pacific Beach for the 2013-14 school year.

"This program grew from just an idea on the part of a principal and an administrator to worldwide acclaim," said Superintendent Bill Kowba. "It's a great example of our district's philosophy of nurturing innovation that, in this case, will help educate the next generation of world citizens."

Park accepted the award on behalf of the school at the Global Confucius Institute Conference, an annual meeting held in Beijing that is sponsored by the Office of Chinese Language International Council or Hanban, an institution affiliated with China’s Ministry of Education.

Since 2004, Confucius Institutes have been set up in more than 100 countries. Improved understanding of Chinese language and culture is the goal, along with developing friendly relations between China and other countries.

For more information on the school, contact Park at epark@sandi.net.

News coverage

• UT San Diego»
• KPBS

Met student works water wizardry for Coastkeeper

IN THE NEWS: After learning that an automated water sampling device needed for stormwater testing would cost $7,000, a 16-year-old San Diego Coastkeeper volunteer figured he could do better. Read more from UT San Diego»

In interview, School Board President optimistic about future

IN THE NEWS: Dr. John Lee Evans discusses student achievement, continuing budget challenges. Read more from UT San Diego»

Farb Middle Retains AVID Demonstration Site Status

Farb Middle School has been validated for the second time as a National Demonstration Site for Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), a fourth grade through high school system that has turned thousands of underperforming students into confident, college-going scholars. Farb received high honors from the reviewers who revalidated the school for an additional 3 years.

The school, which is part of approximately 120 other AVID National Demonstration Sites, was revalidated through an application process, screening and review that included a site visit. AVID is implemented in more than 4,900 schools in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and 16 countries/territories and impacts more than 700,000 students in grades K-12 and in 28 postsecondary institutions.

"It is a tremendous honor to be selected as a demonstration site and to be revalidated for another 3 years," said Principal Susan Levy. "Our students and staff have implemented AVID with fidelity. We are proud of our AVID program, our AVID Coordinator, our teachers and our school as a whole."

AVID Executive Director Jim Nelson notes the significance of attaining demonstration site status.

"Schools chosen as demonstration sites have proven their ability to successfully implement the AVID academic elective course and take the strategies schoolwide to affect all students," says Nelson. “Farb Middle School” was selected as a National Demonstration Site because it has implemented the AVID system throughout the school and can serve as a model for new AVID sites."

AVID National Demonstration Sites were initiated in 1993 with a $250,000 award from the Charles A. Dana Foundation of New York. As part of the AVID National Demonstration Sites Network, sites are expected to develop a model program with schoolwide participation. With AVID’s proven methodologies used throughout subject area classes, performance levels improve for all students, but especially for those students who are the least likely to attend four-year colleges. Schools from around the world that are preparing to implement the AVID system will visit National Demonstration Sites, such as this one, to observe a highly evolved AVID system.

Levy is pleased that the school was revalidated as an AVID National Demonstration Site, noting the impact of the program on staff and students.

"It is a tremendous honor to be selected as a demonstration site and to be revalidated for another 3 years. Our students and staff have implemented AVID with fidelity. We are proud of our AVID program, our AVID Coordinator, our teachers and our school as a whole," Levy said. "AVID has helped the entire school improve student achievement, raise test scores, narrow the achievement gap, and maintain a college focus. Farb was able to attain an API score of 803 this year. AVID affects not only AVID elective students, but all students. We use AVID strategies and methodologies in all classrooms so that every one of our students benefits from a culture of high expectations and a college going culture."

For more information, please visit www.avid.org.

Spotlight on Success

Schools throughout San Diego Unified continue to make significant progress in the area of student achievement, supporting the district’s mission to make sure all students graduate with the skills, motivation, curiosity and resilience to succeed in their choice of college and career. A Board of Education workshop held Nov. 27 recognized and celebrated 13 schools representing all areas of the district for their increases in student achievement. Spotlighted schools demonstrated a combination of best practices, academic growth, steady progress over time, and closing achievement gaps.   

Many of the schools are described as "beating the odds."  Common threads across spotlighted schools include a strong, ongoing focus on quality teaching, personalization or "knowing" their students, differentiated intervention strategies, and a shift in school culture.  We are pleased to see these diverse schools setting the standard for our Quality Neighborhood School Initiative.  Congratulations to Cadman, Green, and Perry elementary schools; Challenger, Clark, Memorial Preparatory, and Pacific Beach middle schools; Kearny School of International Business, Morse, Point Loma, Scripps Ranch and Twain high schools; and Riley/New Dawn.  

To watch the school presentation videos and read the PowerPoint presentation, visit www.sandi.net/success. 

Test Scores Rise At Baker Elementary, Principal Farias Shaves Head

Last year, Baker Elementary School Principal Armando Farias told his students that if their API (Academic Performance Index) score reached 800 in the next year, he would either dye his hair or shave his head. Students picked the latter. So, when API scores came out in early October, Farias knew what was coming. Read more on Baker Elementary School’s website.

Sherman Academy Recognized as 'Promising Practice' for Educating English Learners

 Principal Caballero and students at Sherman.

Sherman Academy's goal of creating bilingual and bi-literate students has been designated a "Promising Practice for English Learners" by the US Department of Education's National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Sherman is a pre-K through fifth grade dual-language immersion program where students receive half of their instruction in English, and half in Spanish located in the Sherman Heights neighborhood east of downtown San Diego. It is one of San Diego's oldest schools.

"Key to Sherman’s philosophy is the goal of creating bilingual and biliterate students, and Sherman’s principal and staff work hard to make sure that parents are invested in this mission," the report said. "The school has seen promising outcomes over the four years since the program has been implemented, moving aggregated student performance from 127 points below the state average to a mere 13 points below."

The report cited the school's relationship with parents, making them an important part of their child's education.

"Engaging parents is very important and that’s why parents, teachers, staff, and the administration make a commitment to work together for the benefit of our students," parent Minerva Espejo said in the report. "The parents walk next to the principal, not in front of or behind him, and this supports our children’s success."

Principal Edward A. Caballero said the school's immersion program, which began when the rebuilt Sherman reopened in 2007, is showing results that are helping kids be better prepared for the world around them.

"Early language acquisition not only gives them the skills to move between a variety of nations and cultures," he said, "but studies have shown it helps children develop critical thinking skills that help them later in life."

Sherman's staff works to prepare students for life in a global society by giving them a strong foundation in English and Spanish language arts, using an acclaimed reading and writing program through immersion in both languages. The dual immersion challenges students with half instruction in English, the other in Spanish, an innovative strategy that aims to move students to fluency and higher achievement. The program was developed with active involvement of community leaders and parents.

The full report is available for download at http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/files/uploads/promising_EL/sherman.pdfs. For more information, contact Caballero at (619) 615-7000.

‘Blue Ribbon’ Goes to SD High International Studies

San Diego High's School of International Studies has been named a federal Department of Education's National Blue Ribbon School for 2012, the only school receiving the award in San Diego County, one of just 307 nationwide.

Overall academic excellence or progress in improving student academic achievement levels has brought the schools the honors. The U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will honor 257 public and 50 private schools at a recognition ceremony in Washington, DC on November 12-13. Each school will receive a plaque and a flag to signify their status as National Blue Ribbon Schools.

"This is such great news for the students, teachers and staff of the School of International Studies," said Dr. Nellie Meyer, Deputy Superintendent for Academics. "This is the type of recognition that enhances the value of our students' high school diploma."

The School of International Studies is one of the five small schools at San Diego High School, which is located at 1405 Park Blvd. at the edge of downtown San Diego. The focus at this magnet school is the International Baccalaureate program and the opportunity for students to receive the highly coveted IB diploma. The school has won many awards and regularly places high on lists of the best high schools in the country.

"The dedication of our students, teachers, parents and staff to education is what has made this possible," said Dr. Carmen Garcia, Principal of International Studies. "It shows that a challenging curriculum and a top notch faculty and staff encourages students to learn and  makes them want to learn more."

"I congratulate these dedicated schools for receiving such a prestigious national honor,” said State Superintendent Tom Torlakson, who nominated the schools earlier this year. “This recognition was made possible by motivated teachers, administrators, and staff supported by involved parents who worked together to provide their students a firm foundation for a lifetime of learning.”

More information on the Blue Ribbon School Program is available on the US Department of Education website.

"Our nation has no greater responsibility than helping all children realize their full potential," Duncan said. "Schools honored with the National Blue Ribbon Schools award are committed to accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers. Their work reflects the conviction that every child has promise and that education is the surest pathway to a strong, secure future."

District Surpasses the Academic Performance Index (API) Target for the State

California's Academic Performance Index (API) results for 2012 show San Diego Unified’s overall score at 808, up 11 points from 2011, and above the state target of 800. Among other large districts in California, only three exceed 800: Garden Grove is first at 815; San Diego is second at 808, and San Francisco is third at 807. The results were released Oct. 11, 2012.

“San Diego Unified has passed the 800 target set by the state for the first time, following six years of continuous growth,” said Deputy Superintendent of Academics Nellie Meyer. “This improvement is a testament to the focused, dedicated work of our teachers, principals, and support staff. We are also seeing the benefits of our analysis of student data and community involvement."

The district now has 113 schools scoring at 800 or above, and 33 scoring 900 or higher, up from 2011 in both categories. Schools making outstanding strides include: Baker Elementary School with a score of 820, up 77 points from 2011; Hamilton Elementary at 792, up 78 points; Foster Elementary at 844, up 59 points; Pacific Beach Middle School at 817, up 50 points; and Scripps Ranch High School at 900, the only high school in the district to be at 900 or above.

State Superintendent of Public Education Tom Torlakson noted that statewide, 59 percent of elementary schools met the state’s 800 target, 49 percent of middle schools met target, and 30 percent of high schools were 800 or above. In San Diego Unified, 62 percent of elementary schools met the state target, along with 61 percent of middle schools, and 31 percent of high schools.

The Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) measure is used by the federal Department of Education to determine if a school or district meets NCLB’s annual growth standards. Those that do not are placed on Program Improvement after two years. Despite the improved scores, 126 schools are now in Program Improvement under NCLB, up from 113 last year. School targets increased by about 10 percentage points over 2011. Standley Middle School in University City was the only district school to exit Program Improvement.

San Diego Unified did not make AYP under NCLB. The district continues in Year 3 of Program Improvement (districts are not incremented past Year 3), and must continue to implement the Local Educational Agency (LEA) Plan that was developed last year to align with the priorities contained in the district's Strategic Process.

Among student groups, some achievement gaps continued to slowly narrow. For example, while White students had a gain of 9 API points to 898 and Asian students' scores rose 3 points to 881; Black or African American students were up 15 points to 739, Hispanic or Latino students were up 14 points to 746, and English Learner students increased 12 points to 728.

“While we celebrate these successes, the results also continue to show that we have groups where we must accelerate achievement to close performance gaps,” Meyer said.

For scores of districts and individual schools, go to the state's website at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ar 

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