Two Sac City schools are among 35 selected as the state’s nominees to the 2008 No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Blue Ribbon Schools Program, the California Department of Education announced recently. West Campus High School ( go to school web site: http://www.westcampushigh.org/) and Golden Empire Elementary School ( go to school web site: http://schools.scusd.edu/goldenempire/index.htm ) are the only two schools in Sacramento County nominated for the award.
“We are proud of the achievement at our schools,” Associate Superintendent Susan Miller said. “At every level we’ve got very dedicated and committed individuals who work collaboratively to provide the best we can for our students. (Having two nominees) talks about the alignment of our central office and school site work to the strategic plan and speaks to the leadership at the board level in asking for that alignment. It speaks to the strong support for sites and ensuring that resources are used to provide quality program for our students.”
NCLB-Blue Ribbon Schools is a national recognition program of the U.S. Department of Education. The 24-year-old program encourages states to nominate public kindergarten through grade twelve schools that are either academically superior or demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement.
“As we endeavor to close the achievement gap and prepare our students for the future, it is gratifying to acknowledge such important progress being made by hardworking educators and students throughout California,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell said. “These schools have made great strides in ensuring their students are learning to their full potential.”
Nominated schools will submit an application to the U.S. Department of Education in February 2008. The weight of the review criteria will rest overwhelmingly on growth and achievement in English-language arts and mathematics over three years, including significant subgroups. The schools will need to meet 2008 Adequate Yearly Progress and Academic Performance Index schoolwide and subgroup growth targets next fall. Those that meet these final targets will be

honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in the fall of 2008.

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