New Web tool to help education agencies close the achievement gap

From State Supt. desk:

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today introduced Signature Practices, a new Web-based searchable database of effective strategies used by California Distinguished Schools to improve student achievement and close the achievement gap. Providing this resource to schools is one of the recommendations made by O'Connell's California P-16 Council in itsClosing the Achievement Gap report.

           "Schools that are struggling to close the achievement gap need to know what really works to improve student achievement with different subgroups of students," O'Connell said. "For the first time this year, each California Distinguished School was asked to submit two Signature Practices that have led to improved student achievement. Now these strategies are posted in an easy-to-search format so schools statewide can find resources and strategies that may fit their particular needs. Distinguished Schools must also serve as a resource to other schools that want to emulate a practice that has proven effective. This system allows educators to share knowledge and provides models on how to apply successful strategies in the classroom."

           The new Web-based tool is a way for the California Distinguished Schools to share their successful practices with other schools. Signature Practices reflects two key recommendations by the Superintendent's California P-16 Council. One of the recommendations was to use school recognition programs to highlight success in closing the achievement gap. The other recommendation found educators needed reliable and proven resources that were effective in helping students succeed academically, as well as being easy to access, understand, and apply to the classroom. O'Connell formed the California P-16 Council in 2004 to examine ways to improve student achievement and create a comprehensive, integrated system of student learning from preschool through higher education. O'Connell is committed to implementing all 14 of the recommendations in the Council's Closing the Achievement Gap report, available at http://www.cde.ca.gov/eo/in/pc/documents/yr08ctagrpt0122.pdf.

           The Signature Practices now online were submitted by 136 public middle schools and 125 public high schools in California that were selected as 2009 California Distinguished Schools. The Distinguished Schools program identifies and honors those schools that have demonstrated educational excellence for all students and progress in narrowing the achievement gap.