SB schools still in control

But thus far, state officials haven't taken over any local schools and instead said they're leaving it to the local district to turn around the failing schools. 

"They are to implement some form of alternate governance, but it is up to the distinct to determine what that will be," said Fred Balcom, director of district and school improvement for the California Department of Education. "Basically, the district comes up with a plan in Year 4 and implements it in Year 5." 

Under state law, schools that fail to improve after five years must implement one of four corrective plans: replacing all or most of the staff including the principal, reopening the school as a charter, a state takeover or contracting with an outside entity to manage the school, or other major restructuring. 

Most of the school districts with schools in program improvement have opted for "other," said Balcom. 

"If they choose 'other,' it's the district's responsibility," he said. 

And without substantive punishment from the state for inaction, it's unclear what, if anything, the San Bernardino school district has done to fix the campuses that have been in program improvement for five years. 

Paul Shirk, the district's assistant superintendent of research and systems analysis, said officials have implemented corrective plans at each school but he did not know the details. 

Superintendent Art Delgado and Judy White, deputy superintendent of curriculum, instruction and accountability, did not return calls seeking comment Tuesday. 

San Bernardino City Unified school board members Teresa Parra-Craig and Barbara Flores also did not return calls seeking comment. 

School board President Danny Tillman said plans have been drawn up for schools in the worst condition but that most haven't been implemented because educators expected major changes from the White House's Race To The Top grant program. 

"Sure, we have plans in place for schools in the fifth year," Tillman said. "But everyone knew when we got to this point they would be unrealistic because the new game in town is 'Race to the Top and it's going to change all of this." 

Schools must show Adequate Yearly Progress for two consecutive years to be removed from program improvement status. 

"There is no specific timeline. It is up to the district to get the school out of program improvement," said Hilary McLean, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Education. 

But state officials warned against thinking there would never be consequences for habitually failing schools. 

"So far the state has not taken over any schools, but it is listed as an option in the law and it could still happen," said Balcom. Adequate Yearly Progress 

Schools and school districts that do not make Adequate Yearly Progress are identified for program improvement under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. 

In California, program improvement is the formal designation for schools and districts that fail to make AYP for two consecutive years. Schools on fifth year of program improvement 

A list of schools in the San Bernardino City Unified School District that are in Year 5 of program improvement status. 

Arrowhead Elementary 

Barton Elementary 

Bradley Elementary 

Cole Elementary 

Cypress Elementary 

Davison Elementary 

E. Neal Roberts Elementary 

Emmerton Elementary 

Fairfax Elementary 

Highland Pacific Elementary 

Howard Inghram Elementary 

Hunt Elementary 

Kendall Elementary 

Kimbark Elementary 

Lincoln Elementary 

Lytle Creek Elementary 

Manuel A. Salinas Creative Arts Elementary 

Marshall Elementary 

Monterey Elementary 

Mount Vernon Elementary 

Muscoy Elementary 

Riley Elementary 

Rio Vista Elementary 

Urbita Elementary 

Vermont Elementary 

Warm Springs Elementary 

Wilson Elementary 

Arrowview Middle 

Curtis Middle 

Del Vallejo Middle 

Golden Valley Middle 

Martin Luther King Jr. Middle 

Serrano Middle 

Shandin Hills Middle 

Pacific High 

San Bernardino High 

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