CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Jack O’Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction California P-16 Council Recommendations The State’s Transformational Role in Closing The Achievement Gap Jose Ortega P-16 Division Director

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction 2 An achievement gap exists between white students and students of color, as well as with English learners, poor students, and students with disabilities In California, the achievement gap represents a majority of students Closing the gap is a moral and economic imperative Closing the Achievement Gap

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5 P-16 Council Formed in 2004 by Jack O’Connell, the Council has dealt with High School Reform and Professional Development Issues Statewide assembly of –education, –business, –and community leaders February, 2007 Council charged with creating the conditions necessary to close the achievement gap for preschool through higher education.

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction 6 Four Major Themes Access – Equitable access to core conditions, such as qualified teachers, quality prekindergarten and a rigorous curriculum Culture and Climate – Offering the best environment that promotes learning and a sense of belonging for students, parents, and school staff Expectations – Fostering high expectations for all students Strategies – Practices that have proven effective or are promising for closing the achievement gap and can be replicated

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction 7 P-16 Council Report January 2008, Council released CTAG report –Not intended to be comprehensive –But important steps to follow Makes 14 recommendations r08ctagrpt0122.pdf

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction P-16 Council Recommendation 1 8 Access Provide High-Quality Prekindergarten Programs  Access to quality early learning experiences for all students

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction P-16 Council Recommendation 2 9 Access Better Align Educational System from Prekindergarten to College  Create unprecedented collaboration between all educational stakeholders

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction P-16 Council Recommendation 3 10 Access Develop Partnerships to Close the Achievement Gap Implementing a consistent approach to a high-quality and inclusive educational program

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction P-16 Council Recommendation 4 11 Culture and Climate Provide Culturally Relevant Professional Development for All School Personnel  Develop a comprehensive culturally, relevant and responsive strategy

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction P-16 Council Recommendation 5 12 Culture and Climate Conduct a Climate Survey  Develop a tool for assessing the “organizational health” of a school

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction P-16 Council Recommendation 6 13 Expectations Augment Accountability System  Provide an immediate measure of progress made by schools and districts in educating all students

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction P-16 Council Recommendation 7,8 14 Expectations Model Rigor  Define more clearly what constitutes a rigorous curriculum Focus on Academic Rigor  Define consistent and ubiquitous academic rigor for future success

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction P-16 Council Recommendation 9 15 Expectations Improve the Awards System  Reward schools for closing gaps and the focusing on improving academic achievement for all students

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction P-16 Council Recommendation Strategies Create a Robust Information System  Design, develop, and implement a system that collects rich, robust high- quality information to meet the needs of educators and legislative policymakers

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction P-16 Council Recommendation Strategies Provide Professional Development on the Use of Data  Design, develop, and implement coherent and relevant professional development in the areas of data collection, analysis and interpretation

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction P-16 Council Recommendation Strategies Share Successful Practices  Collect and disseminate a high- quality, comprehensive body of knowledge, expertise, resources, and research on effective and successful practices

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction State Superintendent's Recommendation 19 Strategies Closing the Achievement Gap Web Site closingtheachievementgap.org is a Web site created by the California Department of Education in partnership with WestEd and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation This site will serve as a central hub for the latest research, ideas, and success stories on closing the achievement gap

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction P-16 Council Recommendation Strategies Fully Implement the California K-12 High-Speed Network  Fully fund the High-Speed Network to ensure that school, districts, and county offices of education have access to the technology needed to assist students

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction P-16 Council Recommendation Strategies Create Opportunities for School District Flexibility  Provide flexibility in the use of educational funds to target academic improvement and professional development

JACK O’CONNELL State Superintendent of Public Instruction 22 Comments or Questions? Comments and questions can be directed to the P-16 Unit at: – or by at