LOS ANGELES/SAN DIEGO/SACRAMENTO/SAN FRANCISCO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today summed up this year's top 10 accomplishments in education and also offered 10 resolutions for improving education in 2005.

"I'm grateful for a year that's brought many successes for our students," O'Connell said. "But there is still much work to do to help our students meet the high expectations we've set so they will succeed in our increasingly complex world."

O'Connell offered these top 10 education accomplishments for 2004:

1. In November 2004, voters approved 49 local school bond measures worth more than $2 billion that allow school districts to seek matching state funds to build new schools and modernize older facilities. In March, voters approved of 49 out of 61 local school bond measures, providing nearly $8 billion in matching funds for school improvement. For more information, please visit O'Connell on Approval of Local School Bonds and O'Connell on Approval of Proposition 55.
2. Nearly 4,000 educators from around the nation attended O'Connell's High School Summit. They shared best practices, collaborated, discussed tactics to help struggling students, and immediately began implementing reforms to increase rigor in the high school curriculum. State Superintendent's High School Summit 2004 (Link No Longer Active)
3. The Superintendent's Paper Reduction Initiative successfully eliminated more than 10 percent of the paperwork required of local education agencies by the California Department of Education (CDE). Superintendent's Paper Reduction Initiative
4. After three years under state control, O'Connell celebrated the return of improved student performance and fiscal accountability for the Emery Unified School District , which was officially given back local control. Local Control to Emery Unified School District
5. CDE was awarded a $75 million grant from the federal Public Charter Schools Grant Program to be used in the development of up to 254 charter schools by 2007. CDE Receives $75 Million Charter School Grant CDE received the prestigious 2004 Partnership State Award from the National Network of Partnership Schools for excellent leadership in developing family, school, and community partnership programs designed to help students succeed. CDE Wins National Award
6. In an unprecedented partnership among California State University, CDE, and the State Board of Education, the Early Assessment Program was made available to all public school eleventh graders to assess their readiness for success in college. Early Assessment Program Results
7. Three organizations produced studies that show more students are eligible to go to college and are performing better on college admissions tests than in prior years. CPEC Study on UC Eligibility, SAT Reasoning Test Show Increases, O'Connell on California ACT Scores Rising
8. Results of the 2003 California English Language Development Test showed 43 percent of English learners scored at early advanced or advanced in overall English proficiency, compared to 34 percent in 2002, and 25 percent in 2001. Gains In English Learners Proficiency
9. Hundreds of California schools were cited for improved student achievement:
   • 302 elementary schools were named 2004 California Distinguished Schools. California's 2004 Distinguished Schools
   • 21 California schools were named 2004 Model Continuation High Schools. Model Continuation High Schools for 2004
   • Three middle schools were named 2004 California 's Schools to Watch — Taking Center Stage. California's 2004 Model Middle Schools
   • 33 public and six private California schools were selected by the U.S. Department of Education as 2004 No Child Left Behind — Blue Ribbon Schools. NCLB - Blue Ribbon Schools Selected 2004
   • 214 elementary, middle, high, and charter schools were awarded California 's 2004 Title I Academic Achievement Award. Title I Achieving Schools

"In the coming year I hope we will all rededicate ourselves to work even harder to improve student test scores, so our children will have even more options for success," added O'Connell.

O'Connell's top 10 resolutions for 2005 are:

1. Work to close the achievement gap. State of Education
2. Increase student achievement. Time to raise the bar in high schools
3. Increase the rigor and relevance of coursework in high schools so that graduates are better prepared for college or careers. Time to raise the bar in high schools - Editorials
4. Increase the number of students passing the California High School Exit Exam. California High School Exit Examination
5. Develop pre-K quality standards in preparation for universal preschool.
6. Improve student health, fitness, and nutrition. Health, Nutrition
7. Provide more funding for education.
8. Encourage more student reading and parents reading to children. Recommended Literature (K-12)
9. Further reduce the burden of data collection for schools and districts. Superintendent's Paper Reduction Initiative
10. Encourage more students to go to college. College & Career Planning