K–12

All reporting on these "distinguished schools" awards needs a big disclaimer, though. Schools have to apply to be eligible for these awards, and the process is demanding and time-consuming. It can't be done just by parent volunteers; it requires the involvement of school administrators. Needless to say, school communities that don't feel they can commit the time and effort are not even going to apply -- nor are school communities that feel the equivalent time and effort should be going toward students' needs, not a relatively meaningless honor. The implication of reports like this is that the CDE looks at every school and bestows honors impartially upon the deserving, but that's not how it is. Reports without the disclaimer or explanation seriously mislead the reader.

Caroline is absolutely correct that applying for "distinguished school" status takes resources. I serve as PTA president of a Title One neighborhood school where the students achieved 861 on the Academic Performance Index and the Latino subgroup (a majority) achieved 810. This is one of the only schools in California to obtain this level of high performance with a relatively-low Parent Education Level a high English Language Learner population and 3/4 of students eligible for free and reduced lunch. When I asked the Principal why our school had not been named a "Distinguished School," he enlightened me that administrators must decide to apply for the status. He said, "Do you want staff focused on high achievement for students or should we aim first to obtain awards for administrators' resumes?" While it might be affirming for parents, staff or nearby homeowners to bask in the glow of a state award, the numbers show that our school's achievement model is real. California Watch, you pride yourselves on investigative journalism... How many schools should be on the "Distinguished" list but did not apply? Someone needs to ask Jack O'Connell to defend this flawed recognition process before he finishes his second term as State Superintendent.