Why Albany High is a "Distinguished School"

was named a California Distinguished School this spring, putting it in the company of the 5 percent of state high schools and middle schools to win the award. But what does it mean?

Sure, the school is distinguished because its  team won top awards in a national competition, and its music department is recognized as among the best in the West. But those are not why it is a distinguished school. It's distinguished because, finally, all students are seeing better times, or so says the state of California.

The state Department of Education awards “Distinguished Schools” status to schools whose students, across the board, made significant gains in standardized tests and which, therefore, are narrowing the “achievement gap” among groups of students. These schools also are awarded the "distinguished" designation for launching initiatives, or “signature programs,” to accomplish these goals.

Schools that won the award—100 of 2,550 public high schools and middle schools in California—demonstrated better than state average gains in the for students in six demographic subgroups: English learners, African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian, socio-economically disadvantaged, and disabled, as well as for the school as a whole.

Albany High’s API rose to 846 last year from 806 the year before—although that year it had fallen from 2008. More importantly for this award, as well as for the school’s goals of late, the APIs of most of the demographic groups jumped. The API of English learners jumped 118 points to 753; of socio-economically disadvantaged by 123 points to 801; and of Hispanic or Latino students by 79 points to 743. The API of Asian students climbed 49 points to 884. Two years ago, not enough African American students took the STAR tests to be a statistically significant group. But in 2010 the API for African American students was 715. 

Albany's API report is said to , but that is in reference to how it ranks with so-called similar schools, not in the numbers themselves.

“The STAR Test scores and the CAHSEE scores were way up,” Principal Ted Barone said this week, explaining to parents why Albany High was chosen. “And they were up significantly for all groups.” The API is derived from STAR tests. The CAHSEE is the California High School Exit Exam.

One reason for the success, according to the application Albany High filed with the state to be considered a distinguished school, was the implementation of two curriculum changes, or “signature programs.”

One was the revamping of the English Language Arts curriculum to focus more on writing. The school launched a Senior Composition course required of all seniors except those taking AP English. Also, the school opened up junior year Honors English and senior year AP English classes to any student interested.

“We radically changed how we teach writing, and consequently writing scores have skyrocketed,” Barone said.

They started from a low point. Changes to the English curriculum were driven by dismal assessments in 2006 on Albany High students’ college readiness in writing. Back then, the University of California and the California State University system both gave entering Albany High students some poor grades in college-level writing.

That year, only two-thirds of Albany High graduates entering the University of California system passed UC's Analytical Writing Requirement, and only 48 percent of those entering the California State University system were exempt from its remedial college-level writing course.

By 2009, college readiness of entering freshman from Albany had jumped at both institutions. Those percentages improved to 81.1 percent for UC-bound Albany students, and 57 percent for CSU-bound Albany students. Both percentages exceeded the passing rates for all students entering UC and CSU systems, which were 75 percent and 38 percent respectively.

The second “signature” program Albany High instituted, or actually resurrected, was the freshman renewal program with its freshmen debates. Through this program, all freshmen participate in a debate project that involves research, persuasive writing and persuasive presentation. The idea behind it is to prepare freshmen, in small learning groups, for high school-level academics.

Teachers at Albany High feel the Distinguished Schools designation is a morale booster, according to teacher Dean Becker.

Matt Rasband, a math teacher who has been working on programs to close the achievement gap, said, “We are proud and humbled by the award.”

“Being named a California Distinguished School is an honor that confirms the hard work and dedication of the staff, students and families of Albany High School,” he said. “But the award does not mean we are satisfied with the work we do.  We need to continue to work as a community to inspire and educate the youth of Albany.”

Everybody makes mistakes ... ! If there's something in this article you think should be corrected, or if something else is amiss, call editor Emilie Raguso at 510-459-8325 or email her at emilier@patch.com.