SAN DIEGO – (Monday, March 19, 2007) —San Diego State University’s National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST) today announced seven schools as winners of its 2007 Excellence in Education Award. The schools will be recognized at the NCUST 2nd Annual Symposium May 4-5 in San Diego.

To compete for the award, schools had to serve urban areas where most of the students met low-income criteria; yet the schools had to meet a long list of student performance criteria, including high attendance rates, low suspension rates, and attainment of national adequate yearly progress (AYP) goals for academic achievement across all subgroups of students. The schools could not use any selective admission criteria to weed out less capable students. Other indicators of success such as high percentages of students completing rigorous courses of study or awards for school-wide excellence in academic disciplines were also taken into consideration. 

Eighteen finalists were drawn from a large pool of applicants that included many schools that have earned recognition as National Blue Ribbon Schools, National Title I Distinguished Schools, and winners of many other state-level awards. 

“The finalists have attained a level of achievement more typically seen in schools that serve very affluent communities,” said Joseph F. Johnson, Jr., executive director of the NCUST.  “They’ve demonstrated evidence of effectiveness among all of the student populations they serve, including English learners and students with disabilities.”

Johnson said the Excellence in Education Award finalists and winners are among the nation’s most valuable resources. 

“They prove that our nation’s urban schools can be wonderful centers of learning that change children’s lives,” Johnson said.   “As a nation, we should be seeking out opportunities to applaud and support these schools while we provide systematic, substantive assistance to other schools seeking to attain similar results.”

All 18 finalists received on-site visits during the months of February and March.  From the finalists, seven winners were selected.  The winners demonstrated the greatest evidence of rigorous content, engaging instruction, and positive relationships among students, teachers, parents, and administrators.  The Excellence in Education Awards will be presented during a luncheon at the NCUST Symposium on Saturday, May 5 at noon.

The seven outstanding high-performing Award Winners are:

• Cecil H. Parker Elementary School in Mt. Vernon, New York
• Charles L. Gideons Elementary in Atlanta, Georgia
• Columbus Alternative High School in Columbus, Ohio
• Detroit Edison Public School Academy in Detroit, Michigan
• Pillow Elementary School in Austin, Texas
• Rancho Cucamonga Middle School in Rancho Cucamonga, California
• Thomas A. Edison Elementary School in Long Beach, California

The 11 additional excellent high-performing Finalist schools are:

• Bammel Middle School in Houston, Texas
• Cannella Elementary School in Tampa, Florida
• Capitol View Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia
• Dewey Elementary School in San Diego, California
• Gladys C. Nunery School in Jersey City, New Jersey
• Julia C. Frazier Elementary School in Dallas, Texas
• Norte Vista High School in Riverside, California
• Perry Elementary School in San Diego, California
• Signal Hill Elementary School in Signal Hill, California
• Traphagen Elementary School in Mt. Vernon, New York
• Victoriano Elementary School in Moreno Valley, California

At the symposium, representatives from each of the winning schools and many of the finalists will discuss the processes and practices that have influenced their successes.  As well, district leaders will describe their efforts to support and sustain these high-achieving urban schools.  Educators interested in attending the symposium, are encouraged to visit http://edweb.sdsu.edu/ncust/news.html or call (619) 594-7905. 

The NCUST was founded as part of the QUALCOMM Institute for Innovation and Educational Success at San Diego State University.  The mission of the NCUST, part of SDSU's College of Education, is to help urban school districts around the country and their partners transform into institutions where all students achieve academic proficiency, evidence a love of learning, and graduate well-prepared to succeed in post-secondary education, the workplace, and their community.

SDSU's College of Education is the second-largest college of education in the state and the 10th-largest nationwide. The mission of the College of Education is to prepare teachers, administrators, resource specialists and support personnel for opportunities in various educational settings.  Through preparation programs, such as the Compact for Success and the San Diego Literacy Initiative, and the City Heights Educational Collaborative the university also influences the education of tens of thousands of K-12 urban students each year. 

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor’s degrees in 81 areas, master’s degrees in 73 areas and doctorates in 16 areas. SDSU’s more than 34,000 students participate in an academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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