SAN DIEGO – (Tuesday, October 23, 2007) —The National Center for Urban School Transformation at San Diego State University announced today the acceptance of applications for the 2008 Excellence in Urban Education Award. Up to ten schools that best exhibit success in urban education will be recognized at the NCUST Symposium May 7-9, 2008 in San Diego. This will be the third year for the award which so far has honored 27 schools from across the country as finalists and winners.

Elementary, middle and high schools in urban areas may compete for the award.  Contending schools will be those with a majority of low-income students and a non-selective admissions policy, demonstrating success with all student types.  Additionally, schools must meet NCUST’s student proficiency criteria, including Adequate Yearly Progress, high attendance, low suspension, and high proficiency and graduation rates.  Applicants also should strive for further indicators of success, such as school-wide awards in excellence, and high percentages of students in advanced courses of study.  For an application and a full list of award criteria, please visit http://www.ncust.org/ or call (619) 594-7905.

 “The Excellence in Urban Education awards acknowledge that many educators in urban schools are accomplishing amazing results,” said Dr. Joseph F. Johnson, Jr., executive director of NCUST.  “As a nation we give lots of attention to those schools that are in need of improvement, but there’s far too little attention paid to the schools that are serving children exceptionally well.” 

The award will be presented to no more than ten urban schools which best demonstrate an environment of learning success, positive growth and equality.  These schools, which will be selected from a pool of up to 20 finalists, will receive a $1000 cash award and a commemorative banner, along with recognition on the NCUST website.  The awards will be presented at The Westin Horton Plaza in San Diego May 8, 2008. Representatives from each of the winning schools will appear as presenters at the 2008 NCUST Symposium along with several finalists to share the strategies leading to their success.  Hundreds of  educators from urban districts are expected to attend the Symposium.

“By celebrating and learning from these schools, we build a national, professional learning community,” said Johnson.  “We help each other learn from our best practices in educating urban children and youth.”

NCUST, which is a component of the QUALCOMM Institute for Innovation and Educational Success at San Diego State University, was founded in order to assist urban schools nationwide transform into highly successful institutions which cultivate an enthusiasm for learning and students that are well prepared for future success.

Contact:

Pamela Engler, Project Coordinator
National Center for Urban School Transformation
(619) 594-7905
ncust@mail.sdsu.edu