About California Schools


California Department of Education	The Curriculum & Instruction branch provides information for improving student academic achievement of content standards by communicating policy and expectations and supporting districts by providing instructional guidance. This includes content standards, curriculum materials and instructional materials, subject specific resources, and the Intersegmental Relations Office that serves as a link between K-12 education and the college and university systems in California. Programs for school districts to help improve student achievement and transition to postsecondary education and careers are listed by grade level. For high school students, thee include a-g course requirements, Advanced Placement, AVID, IB. Check out their CaliforniaColleges.edu that provides a "one-stop shopping" site for students, parents, and educators who are interested in information about all California colleges and universities and it serves as the official source for college and career planning in California. This branch also provides resource and training support for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Schools. The State has identified nine essential program components for high school success. 1. Standards-based Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment 2. Professional Development 3. Human Resources 4. Data Systems/Data Analysis/Ongoing Monitoring 5. Parent and Community Involvement 6. Fiscal Operations 7. Governance and Leadership High School Essential Program Components (EPC) and Resource Kit Research behind these elements has been compiled by the Riverside County Office of Education Closing the Achievement Gap is Superintendent O'Connell's statewide initiative to identify ways the state can better assist counties, districts, and schools in their efforts to help all children succeed academically. The partnership between The California Department of Education, its P-16 Council, and WestEd are is funded from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. *High School!* is a best practice periodical for educators produced by the Middle and High School Improvement Office, California Department of Education. The primary objective of the periodical is to highlight issues, research, and resources pertinent to high school grades; focus on best practices and strategies of high schools; and showcase schools that are working toward a goal of high performance. High School Essential Program Components and Resource Kit is designed to support the efforts of school districts in districtwide planning and implementing the nine Essential Program Components of a high school academic program. The Resource Kit offers suggestions consolidated from practices in selected school districts in California, some of which have state-monitored and Program Improvement schools. Aiming High: High Schools for the 21st Century - High School Aiming High and the Aiming High Toolkit were developed to help the school community address the myriad issues in implementing a standards-based educational system. Aiming High and Focus on Learning are highly correlated. Here's a match between the two documents in an attempt to both build understanding and make the work of the school easier. For a workshop (9-26-02), Louise created these materials linking Aiming High with Focus on Learning. Here's a .zip file of the PowerPoint slides. Categorical Program Monitoring monitors local educational agencies (LEAs) for compliance with categorical program and fiscal requirements. LEAs are responsible for maintaining compliant categorical programs.
Ed-Data	This site is unique in its combination of the latest financial, demographic, and school and student performance data, plus clear and impartial analyses and discussions of current issues.
EdSource	This independent, nonpartisan California nonprofit specializes in clarifying complex education topics and policy choices - through balanced analyses of education issues and accurate education data.
DataQuest	CDE web site for school/district information.
School Wise Press "Helping Parents Get Smart About California Schools"	Using data from several public sources, this organization best serves its readers "by identifying relevant data, qualifying the sources, interpreting the data, putting it in the richest possible context of related information, presenting it in a way that's accessible and understandable to the greatest number of people, and publishing it as quickly as possible." This site is easy to use and is enhanced with links to education-related news and discussion forums.

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Site last modified & updated June 24, 2008