​​​​A component of the California School Recognition Program (CSRP), the California Distinguished Schools (DS) Program was on a three-year pause while California transitioned to its new assessment and accountability system. From 2015–17 California recognized schools that demonstrated exemplary achievements with the California Gold Ribbon Schools Program. The California DS Program recognizes elementary and middle and high schools in alternate years and allows eligible schools to apply for the California DS Award once every two years. Schools recognized as a California DS Awardee hold the DS Title for two years.

Eligibility Criteria

In 2020 California will recognize outstanding educational programs and practices in elementary schools. In 2020 California is using a multiple measures accountability system to identify eligible schools based on their performance and progress on the state indicators as specified on the California School Dashboard (Dashboard). Information regarding the Dashboard is provided on the CDE California School Dashboard and System of Support web page. Kindergarten through eighth grade (K–8) grade span designation will be accepted. In 2020 eligible schools in the elementary school cycle will be selected within the following two categories:

Category 1:  Closing the Achievement Gap

• Poverty Rate of at least 40 percent in the 2016–17 and 2017–18 school years.
• The highest percentage of growth that met the standard in ELA OR Mathematics between the 2016–17 and 2017–18 school years for the targeted student groups (AA, Homeless, Foster Youth, HI, SED, SWD and/or EL).
• The ALL student group must be Blue/Green on both ELA and Mathematics on the 2018 Dashboard.
• The ALL student group must be Blue/Green/Yellow on the Suspension Rate Indicator on the 2018 Dashboard.
• The ALL student group must be Blue/Green/Yellow on the Chronic Absenteeism Indicator on the 2018 Dashboard.
• 95 percent participation rate in the 2016–17 and 2017–18 school years for both ELA and Mathematics.

Category 2:  Exceptional Student Performance

• The ALL student group must be Blue in both ELA and Mathematics on the 2018 Dashboard.
• The ALL student group must be Blue on the Suspension Rate Indicator on the 2018 Dashboard.
• The ALL student group must be Blue on the Chronic Absenteeism Indicator on the 2018 Dashboard.
• 95 percent participation rate in the 2016–17 and 2017–18 school years for both ELA and Mathematics.

Application

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond will provide a letter to County and District Superintendents, Charter School Administrators, and Elementary School Principals containing information about the 2020 California DS Program. Eligible schools that would like to be recognized as a California DS Awardee for 2020 will be required to submit a completed 2020 California DS Program Elementary Schools Application by the due date in order to be recognized as a California DS Awardee for 2020.

Timeline of Activities

​Dates:

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