Distinguished! Dixon High recognized as California Distinguished School
PRESS RELEASE BY SOLANO COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
FAIRFIELD ‐ The California Department of Education (CDE) has selected Dixon High School (DHS) to be recognized as a 2011 California Distinguished School. “Gaining this award means a true validation from the California Department of Education and Solano County Office of Education for all of our hard work here at DHS,” said Ivan Chaidez, Dixon High School’s principal. “Being named a California Distinguished School brings prestige to our school and respect to our teachers and academic programs.” Chaidez is very proud and appreciative of the students, staff, and school community. “I want to acknowledge our students for their hard work and thank our parents, teachers, counselors, support staff, coaches, and administration for everything they have done to support student success.” Roger Halberg, Superintendent of Dixon Unified School District, supports the extraordinary effort of Dixon High’s students, teachers, staff, and school community. “This statewide recognition is proof that Dixon High School is committed to meeting the needs of all students. On behalf of the Dixon Unified School District, I want to express my deep appreciation of the hard work and dedication you provide to Dixon High School students.” Jay Speck, Solano County Superintendent of Schools, stated “The California Distinguished Schools award serves to identify and honor some of the state’s most exemplary and inspiring public schools. Dixon Unified School District should be very proud of this well deserved award for its high school.”
Nominees for the California Distinguished Schools award must provide detailed descriptions of two signature practices that are replicable and have greatly improved student achievement. Dixon High School’s signature practices are Small Learning Communities and the Reading Apprenticeship model. For the past 10 years, the Reading Apprenticeship model has enabled Dixon High School students to become more proficient and confident readers throughout their studies. Through this model, students recognize that there are different purposes for reading that require different approaches. The goal is to help apprentice readers eventually gain facility and independence understanding challenging academic texts. The Reading Apprenticeship model permeates the school’s academic curriculum and contributes to closing the school’s achievement gap, specifically with Hispanic/Latino and low socio‐economic students. “The expectation at Dixon High is that all teachers are reading teachers,” said Chaidez. “Literacy is what we do on a daily basis in all of our classes. Of course, literacy looks different depending on the type of course. With this model, there are many great strategies we use for our English learners; however, the strategies work well for all students. Our attitude is that all of our students are English learners. This is why they take English for four years in high school.”
In 2003, Dixon High School received grant funding to open three career‐based academies. These programs for juniors and seniors include an Agricultural and Industrial Trades Academy, a Public Service Academy, and an Arts and Design Academy. Each academy operates as a Small Learning Community with its own entrance requirements, performance standards, and public service project. “Our Academies are getting students more connected to school and also making curriculum relevant to their interests,” said Chaidez. “The Academies are also like an extended family, in which students and teachers develop strong relationships. Our Academy students are always working on various community services projects.” Chaidez notes that by ensuring that all students are included in the Academies, especially those from underperforming sub‐groups, this structure has also helped DHS close the achievement gap.
In order to be invited to apply for the Distinguished Schools honor, schools must meet a variety of eligibility criteria including designated federal and state accountability measures based on No Child Left Behind’s Adequate Yearly Progress and the Academic Performance Index. Dixon High School underwent a rigorous selection process conducted by the California Department of Education, with the help of many local educators from across the state, and in partnership with the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association. A Site Validation Team, made up of local educators, recently spent a day at Dixon High School to gather evidence and analyze the signature practices. Information about these signature practices is shared with other schools around the state on CDE’s web site.
Go RAMS!
