Recognizing Exemplary Schools - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education)

Recognizing Exemplary Schools - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education):

State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Establishes
Two New Areas for Recognizing Exemplary Schools

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today recognized 19 public schools, which are also 2013 Distinguished Schools, with two new state Exemplary Program Awards for their successful and innovative efforts to promote either the arts or physical activity and nutrition.

'If we want our students to succeed inside and outside the classroom, they need an education that takes the ‘whole child' into account," Torlakson said. "Encouraging creativity and good nutrition and physical activity are just some of the ways these schools are working to accomplish exactly that." 

The schools are the first to be selected for the two new exemplary program awards that reflect Torlakson's goals outlined in hisBlueprint for Great Schools report, which provides vision and direction for California's education system.

The Exemplary Arts Program Award reflects Torlakson's commitment to the arts and creative education as essential components of a high-quality comprehensive education. This program recognizes schools that, in addition to high academic achievement indicated by their Distinguished School qualifications, have committed time and resources to broad-based arts education programs that strengthen students' creativity and encourage their personal interests. 

Schools selected for the Exemplary Arts distinction have demonstrated school and community support for standards-based arts programs across multiple disciplines. These programs have made a significant impact on school culture and academic success. This award is directly related to the California Department of Education's involvement in CREATE CA, a statewide coalition of agencies and organizations working to further arts education in California.

The Physical Activity and Nutrition Exemplary Program Award recognizes schools that are making significant strides in their school environment related to physical activity and nutrition. Active and well-nourished students demonstrate improved attendance and greater academic achievement. A healthy school environment provides clear and consistent health messages, accurate health and nutrition information and opportunities for increased physical activity.

The goals of Torlakson's Team California for Healthy Kids  initiative are increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables; increasing access to fresh, free drinking water; and increasing moderate to vigorous physical activity.

A third program, the exemplary Career Technical Education Program, has been ongoing, and the award winners were announced last month when the 2013 Distinguished Schools were named. 

Elementary and secondary schools are recognized in alternate years, and this year middle and high schools were acknowledged.

The 2013 Exemplary Arts Program Awards

County	School District	School
Kings	Pioneer Union Elementary	Pioneer Middle
Los Angeles	Downey Unified	Warren High
Los Angeles	Hart Unified	Hart High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Renaissance Arts Academy
Los Angeles	Walnut Valley Unified	South Point Middle
Orange	Irvine Unified	Northwood High
Orange	Saddleback Valley Unified	Mission Viejo High
Riverside	Temecula Valley	Vail Ranch Middle
Sacramento	Natomas Unified	Natomas Charter Performing & Fine Arts Academy
San Diego	Grossmont Union High School District	Grossmont High
San Francisco	San Francisco Unified	Lowell High
Santa Clara	Milpitas Unified	Rancho Milpitas Middle
Sonoma	Gravenstein	Hillcrest Middle

The 2013 Physical Activity and Nutrition Exemplary Program Awards

County	School District	School
Alameda	Castro Valley Unified	Canyon Middle
Los Angeles	Downey Unified	Warren High
Los Angeles	Norwalk-La Mirada Unified	Arlie F. Hutchinson Middle
Ventura	Oak Park Unified	Oak Park High

The 2013 Exemplary Career Technical Education Program Awards*

County	School District	School
Los Angeles	Downey Unified	Warren High
Riverside	Temecula Valley Unified	Vail Ranch Middle

*These schools were first acknowledged April 11, 2013, when the 2013 Distinguished Schools Awards were announced.

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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

Women in Science and Tech Industries Profiled in State Agency Project

Project Leads to Conference to Encourage Students to Enter Science and Tech Fields

SACRAMENTO—Trailblazing women from California in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) will be profiled each week in a state project leading to California's first STEM Conference this fall, said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.

The California Department of Education, the California State Library, the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and the California Research Bureau are joining forces in this work, designed to encourage more students—especially underrepresented groups, such as young women and students of color—to enter the STEM fields.

"Maintaining our place on the cutting edge of science and technology depends on educating the next generation of leaders in these fields," said Torlakson. "Every student deserves the opportunity to acquire a world-class education that prepares them for college and careers."

A different California woman has been profiled each week since March, through the California State Library  Web site, using the keywords "California Women in STEM." For the month of March, these include research pathologist Dr. Edith Claypole ; information scientists The Gillis Girls ; pilot and physicist Margaret Gee ; field botanist and horticulturalist Lester Rowntree ; and bookbinder Idah Meacham Strobridge . The month of April includes botanist Rebecca Austin ; geographer and Arctic explorer Louise Boyd ; economist and sociologist Charlotte Gilman ; and inventor and agriculturist Harriet Strong . The month of May includes civil engineer, Marilyn Reece ; paleontologist and field researcher Annie Alexander ; psychologist Dorothy Baruch ; osteopath Louisa Burns ; and physicist Maria Simani] . More California women will be profiled each week leading up to the STEM Conference planned for November 18-19, 2013, in Sacramento.

The Conference, titled "Invest in California STEM Education: Innovate, Integrate, and Inspire!" will help schools share best practices, provide professional development for teachers, help districts form partnerships with business and higher education, and provide STEM resources for the attendees. Keynote speakers and special guests include Academy Award® winning actorGeena Davis  of the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and education researcher Sugata Mitra . The Conference is sponsored by the California Department of Education and the Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation.

A 2011 U.S. Department of Commerce study, "STEM: Good Jobs Now and For the Future (PDF) ," found that over the past 10 years, growth in jobs involving STEM fields was three times greater than that of non-STEM occupations. The report also forecast that STEM jobs are expected to continue to grow at a faster rate than others in the coming decade. STEM-related industries are a major component of California's economy.

For more information on STEM education in California, visit the California Department of Education's Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics Web page.

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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100