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.

IN THE NEWS: Farmers brings “Blessings in a Backpack” to Miller Elementary

“Blessings in a Backpack” is a new program designed to feed elementary school children whose families qualify for the federal free and reduced meal program and may not have any or enough food on the weekends. The backpacks will be delivered to Doris Miller Elementary school on the morning of Friday, January 28. Kate Rose and other PGA TOUR wives will lead the delivery of the backpacks to the school. Read more from Farmers Insurance»

San Diego Unified's Accountability Score at Highest Level

California's Largest Districts

District Score Growth Garden Grove 815 13 San Diego 798  13 San Francisco 796 5 Long Beach  766 7 Sacramento 759  6 Los Angeles 728 19 Oakland 726 8 Fresno 717  6 San Bernardino 713 14 Source: California Department of Education

Top San Diego Unified Results

Elementary School Scores La Jolla Elementary, 982   Torrey Pines Elementary, 989 Elementary Top Growth Sherman Elementary, 95 Cubberley Elementary, 62 Middle School Scores Marshall Middle School, 932 Muirlands Middle School, 897 Middle School Top Growth Innovation Middle, 43 Millennial Tech Middle, 40 High School Scores Scripps Ranch High, 883 San Diego High International Studies, 873 High School Growth iHigh Virtual Academy, 60 Twain High, 50

California's Academic Performance Index (API) results for 2011 show San Diego Unified's overall score nearly at the state's target 800 score, with 104 schools scoring at 800 or above and 28 scoring 900 or higher.Among other large districts around California, only Garden Grove exceeds 800, at 815; San Diego is second with 798, San Francisco third with 796. The results were released Aug. 31.

"I want to congratulate the students, teachers and staffs at all of our schools for their excellent showing," said Supt. Bill Kowba. "What is particularly impressive is the growth that has come despite several years of historic budget cuts."

The Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) measure is used by the federal Department of Education to determine if a school or district meets the act's annual growth standards; those that do not are placed on Program Improvement after two years. Four San Diego Unified schools exited Program Improvement as a result of these test results: Garfield High School, Kimbrough and Rosa Parks elementary schools, Garfield High School, and the King/Chavez Arts charter school.

Despite the improved scores, 113 schools are now on Program Improvement, up from 95 last year. School targets increased by about ten percentage points over 2010. However, because of differences between the state and federal standards, 20 schools met the California API target of 800, yet are on Program Improvement according to the federal government.

"California has some of the most rigorous standards in the nation and these schools excel," said Kowba. "Yet parents at these schools will receive a letter saying that their school is failing. That just is not true."

San Diego Unified's Board of Education has supported changes in the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), including those advocated by state Supt. of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson, who has called these schools "mislabled."

Torlakson noted that statewide, 55 percent of elementary schools, 43 percent of middle schools and 28 percent of high schools were 800 or above. In San Diego Unified, 59 percent of elementary schools met target, along with 48 percent of middle schools and 26 percent of high schools.
Despite the increase, for the third year, San  Diego Unified did not make its AYP under NCLB. In its third year of Program Improvement, the district will be required to take corrective actions that are yet to be identified. San Diego Unified entered Program Improvement in 2009.

Among student groups, some achievement gaps continued to slowly narrow. For example, while White students had a gain of 12 API points to 890 and Asian students' scores rose 10 points to 878, Hispanic or Latino students were up 14 points to 735 and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged students increased 14 points to 746.

"We're pleased to see these achievement gaps continuing to narrow," said Kowba. "Eliminating these gaps is one of the key missions of our district."

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

Stakeholder Input Sought on New Title I Funding Distribution Plan

In December, the Board of Education voted to increase the Title I school funding threshold from 40% to 75%. (The threshold is based on the number of students at a school who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.) The change would take place over a five-year period, starting in 2012-13. The Board members are looking for input from employees, parents, students, community members and other stakeholders on developing the implementation plan as well as identifying priorities for Title I funds. Please take a moment to share your input by taking a short survey in English or Spanish. For a printed copy of the survey, call (619) 725-5609.