Each year, the California Department of Education (CDE) recognizes schools under its California Distinguished Schools Program for excellent work in two categories: closing the achievement gap and exceptional student performance. Among this year’s winners were six of our very own Charter SELPA partners:
- Downtown Charter Academy
- KIPP Sol Academy
- KIPP Heartwood Academy
- Literacy First Charter
- Magnolia Science Academy San Diego
- Preuss School UCSD
Schools are chosen based on data taken from the California School Dashboard, including test scores, suspension rates, and school climate. Because of this, the award is not simply a measure of instructional quality but equity, inclusion, and a commitment to school-wide continuous improvement.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond had this to say about the recognition:
“These schools are great examples of California’s commitment to provide outstanding public education for all students, and their data-driven efforts have helped ensure that their students leave with the tools and skills they need to be successful after graduation. Our thanks go to the entire communities surrounding these schools, including the teachers, administrators, and classified employees as well as the students and their families who, through teamwork, all accomplished this impressive achievement together.”
The Charter SELPA is proud to share in the excitement of having our partners’ hard work recognized at the state level. Perhaps more so than previous years, this award bears special significance, as these schools persevered through the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and still came out on top.
You can read the full announcement from CDE at https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr21/yr21rel20.asp, and you can find out about the strict eligibility criteria as well as pending updates on the virtual award ceremony at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/cs/index.asp.