SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmand named a number of elementary schools as Distinguished Schools recently, including dozens of local campuses in Tulare and Fresno County.
“It is my pleasure to honor and recognize these 336 elementary schools for their efforts to provide exemplary public education to all students. Excellent elementary schools play a critical role in the life outcomes of our young people,” Thurmond said. “This year’s California Distinguished Schools celebration provides us with an opportunity to recognize the hard work of our elementary educators and school staff who help our students discover passions and experiences that will propel them.”
Schools in Tulare County include Golden Valley Elementary from Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified, Roosevelt Elementary from Dinuba Unified, Rocky Hill Elementary from Exeter Unified, Hope Elementary in Porterville, Three Rivers Elementary and Mountain View Elementary from Visalia Unified.
Fresno County schools named to the distinguished list include Madison Elementary from Central Unified, Copper Hills Elementary from Clovis Unified, Mayfair Elementary from Fresno Unified, Goldenrod Elementary from Kerman Unified, Lincoln Elementary from Kings Canyon Joint Unified and Woods (Harold L.) Elementary from Clovis Unified.
Schools are recognized as either Closing the Achievement Gap or as Exceptional Student Performance. Criteria for the determination of a distinguished school depends on several parameters.
To achieve Closing the Achievement Gap recognition, schools must enrol 40% of students from socioeconomically disadvantaged groups and show demonstrable growth in English Language Arts and have a “blue or green” status on the California Department of Educations dashboard. Math scores, absenteeism rates and suspensions are also factored into the decision.
Exceptional Performance Schools are identified by having achieved the highest scores in ELA and math while also achieving the “blue or green” status for absenteeism and suspension rates. In both cases, schools must ensure that 95% of students participate in standardized statewide testing.
“Since its inception in 1985, the California Distinguished Schools Award remains one of the state’s most important ways to celebrate exceptional schools, districts, teachers and classified employees for their innovation, talent, and success in supporting students,” the press release on the matter states.
