Two FUSD Schools Win State Title I Academic Achievement Awards

Jack O'Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, announced the Title I Academic Achievement Award winners for the 2005-06 school year.  Of the the 310 California schools being recognized, two of those schools are from the Fontana Unified School District:  Hemlock and Sierra Lakes Elementary Schools.

"This award is a prestigious recognition for each school that has worked hard to improve their students’ academic achievement in spite of their disadvantaged backgrounds," said O’Connell.  "There is a clear record of schools staying on track and improving year after year."

Title I is part of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 designed to improve the academic achievement of disadvantaged students. The Title I Academic Achievement Awards Program recognizes schools that are demonstrating success in ensuring all students are making significant progress toward proficiency on California's academic content standards. These standards define the knowledge, concepts, and skills students are expected to acquire at each grade level. In addition, the awardees provide support and serve as models for other schools, especially other Title I schools that have failed to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for two consecutive years and are designated for Program Improvement.

The criteria to qualify for the award have changed slightly, namely the Academic Performance Index (API) requirements are higher this year.  Title I schools must demonstrate the achievement level of twice the schoolwide API growth target and twice the API growth target for the socio-economically disadvantaged subgroup for two consecutive years.  Schools must also have made AYP for two years in a row.  At least 40 percent of the enrolled students must meet the poverty index.  There are nearly 5,900 Title I schools in California.   Of the 338 schools eligible to participate in the awards program this year, 310 completed the necessary paperwork for participation.

Representatives of the winning schools will be honored at a banquet during the State Title I Conference scheduled for May 1-2, 2006 at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa Hotel in Costa Mesa.

Online Resources:

• News Release from California Department of Education (3/29/06)
• Press Release from San Bernardino County Schools (3/29/06)

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