The state Department of Education released a list of 188 schools Monday that are “persistently the lowest-achieving” in California.
Which local district pops up most on the list?
Stockton Unified…with seven low-achieving elementary schools.
“The district was aware that this was coming so we’re past the shock stage.”
Spokesman Clem Lee says they’re faced with enormous challenges – being at the epicenter of the home foreclosure crisis.
“Stockton Unified like all urban school districts has high-poverty. We have a lot of English language learners. You know, that said, we realize that we need to get all of our schools to be high functioning. And clearly we have some that are not.”
Lee says the district is in dire financial straights right now. The school board has cut $30 million from next year’s budget.
Meanwhile, two Sacramento schools made the list: Oak Ridge Elementary in the City Unified District and Natomas High in Natomas Unified. Lodi had four schools on the list. Woodland and Lake Tahoe each had one.
Schools will have to adopt a turn-around strategy. That could include closing the school entirely or closing then re-opening under a charter school operator. They could also include replacing administration officials and at least half of the staff and other improvements such as increased time in the classroom.
Which local district pops up most on the list?
Stockton Unified…with seven low-achieving elementary schools.
“The district was aware that this was coming so we’re past the shock stage.”
Spokesman Clem Lee says they’re faced with enormous challenges – being at the epicenter of the home foreclosure crisis.
“Stockton Unified like all urban school districts has high-poverty. We have a lot of English language learners. You know, that said, we realize that we need to get all of our schools to be high functioning. And clearly we have some that are not.”
Lee says the district is in dire financial straights right now. The school board has cut $30 million from next year’s budget.
Meanwhile, two Sacramento schools made the list: Oak Ridge Elementary in the City Unified District and Natomas High in Natomas Unified. Lodi had four schools on the list. Woodland and Lake Tahoe each had one.
Schools will have to adopt a turn-around strategy. That could include closing the school entirely or closing then re-opening under a charter school operator. They could also include replacing administration officials and at least half of the staff and other improvements such as increased time in the classroom.