Culver Park High School is glowing this afternoon.
It has been named a Model Continuation High School by State Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell.
Culver Park is one of just 12 California schools so recognized for their programs designed to help struggling students stay in school.
“Model Continuation High Schools provide troubled students with exemplary programs designed to give them a second chance to stay in school, graduate, and go on to better lives and careers,” Mr. O’Connell said. “The teachers, staff, students, and parents should be proud of this significant recognition.”
Continuation high schools serve students 16 years or older who lack sufficient school credits and are at risk of not graduating.
The schools focus on school-to-career education, individualized instructional strategies, intensive guidance and counseling and flexible school schedules to meet student needs.
More than 70,000 students in the state attended 525 continuation high schools last year, the latest data available.
“Culver Park provides an outstanding learning environment for our students who need specialized instruction,” said School District Supt. Dr. Myrna Rivera Coté.
The Model Continuation High School Recognition Program is a partnership of the California Dept. of Education and the California Continuation Education Assn.
The goal: To identify outstanding programs and create a resource list for school visitations and for other continuation high schools to emulate.
To be eligible for the recognition, applicants must be accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and demonstrate exemplary program effectiveness, in school management, curriculum, instructional strategies, assessment and evaluation, guidance and counseling, and education climate. As part of the application for recognition, parents, students, and community members were required to submit written statements supporting their respective schools.
The selected schools retain their title for three years. They must submit an annual assurance of compliance with model school guidelines in order to maintain the designation.
Mr. Maleman may be contacted at gmaleman@aol.com
