Approximately seven years ago, I remember warning the Governing Board about a looming fiscal crisis—a crisis driven by a “manufactured” electricity shortage. We all can remember the comments made from the Enron Traders as the state was gouged.

Four years ago, we were warned about the home mortgage industry. When that forecast was realized, millions faced foreclosure. As a result, the California economy has a deficit of $10 to $15 billion dollars!

Our state and federal leaders received the same advice long before the ball dropped on these two issues yet failed to act proactively, possibly averting the negative affects on our economy.

Our current issue? No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Can we heed past mistakes and become proactive or will we wait until we are labeled with failing schools? NCLB requires that all students achieve proficiency in English and mathematics by 2014. Statewide, to date, only 43% of students are scoring proficient in reading and 41% are scoring proficient in mathematics. Student performance has improved moderately over the past six years however some schools in many districts could be labeled as Program Improvement. The state’s measurement for student achievement, Academic Performance Index (API), is quite different than the federal measurement, Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). I worry that all of our students’ success will be tied to standardized testing, reflecting performance based on a single “snapshot,” i.e., one point in time during testing. We are on a collision course statewide with NCLB mandates. Without extraordinary measures, we, as history has shown in California, will crash into the NCLB “wall” and be forced to deal with the subsequent wreckage in districts throughout the state. Rest assured there will be no shortage of finger pointing at both the statewide and federal levels.

Baldwin Park Unified School District needs everyone’s support to fully understand and transcend the complexity of the student assessment issue. We want all of our students to be at the highest level of proficiency in reading and mathematics. We also want students to enjoy school in Baldwin Park and receive a well-rounded education. I know that there are many challenges that exist beyond testing mandates. Our teachers have the ability to rise to the challenge and ensure that assessments can be directly tied to classroom instruction and used to improve learning, not just to measure it.

This year is going to be a promising year with potential for results that reach beyond minimum API and AYP standards. Our students, teachers, administrators and classified staff are capable of extraordinary work. Our district represents the finest examples of the certificated and classified profession who will work together to create an environment in which everyone can achieve success.

Sincerely,

Mark M. Skvarna
Superintendent of Schools

SCHOOLS CHIEF JACK O’CONNELL ANNOUNCES TENTATIVE SETTLEMENT IN LAWSUIT CHALLENGING HIGH SCHOOL EXIT EXAM

SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell announced today that a tentative settlement agreement has been reached in Valenzuela v. O’Connell et al., a lawsuit challenging the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE).
“I am delighted that a tentative agreement has been reached that is in the best interest of California students,” O’Connell said. “Final agreement to this proposed settlement will put to rest this challenge, leaving the exit exam in place. Most importantly, it will ensure that students in the class of 2006 and beyond will continue to get the assistance they need to learn the critical skills measured on the CAHSEE.” The proposed settlement was tentatively approved today by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Robert Freedman. The settlement proposal requires passage by the Legislature and approval by the Governor of AB 347, authored by Assembly Member Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) and sponsored by O’Connell, to ensure that students who fail to pass the CAHSEE and graduate may receive an additional two years of academic assistance from their school districts. The bill is currently pending approval on the floor of the Senate.

For complete text of news release from the State Superintendent Please Click Here

BPUSD Receives the California Math and Science Partnership (CaMSP) Grant in the amount of $873,934

The Baldwin Park Unified School District is aggressively seeking new funding opportunities to improve student achievement and meet the rigorous requirement of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act which was enacted into law in January of 2002. The Improving Teacher Quality Grant Programs (Title II) are an important component of the NCLB legislation. Title II, Part B of NCLB authorizes state education agencies to administer a statewide Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) Program. California has been allocated funds to implement a state program. The district is happy to announce that it was awarded the CaMSP Grant by the California Department of Education.
The CaMSP program seeks to improve student achievement in mathematics and science through a sharp focus on the following three interrelated issues within two targeted grade spans mathematics (grade five through Algebra I) and science (grades four through eight):

• Ensure that all students have access to, are prepared for, and are encouraged to participate and succeed in, challenging and advanced mathematics and science courses;
  
• Enhance the quality of the mathematics and science teacher workforce.

To view the 2008-2009 school year calendar please Click Here

Graduate all students as highly productive members of a democratic society.

Our mission is to accelerate student learning by focusing on mastery of academic content standards, research-based instruction, and data-driven decisions in a safe, clean, and friendly learning environment.

- Regardless of position or role, we treat each other with respect and courtesy.

- Honesty defines our work with one another.

- We keep promises we make.

- We stand by one another during times of need.

- We are committed to the vision, mission, and goals of the district.

- We uphold high standards and expectations for all.

- A sense of humor and friendliness are attributes of our work together.