State's worst schools list: on today, off tomorrow

What a difference two days makes- for some local schools.

This past Monday, the California Department of Education released a statewide list of 188 "Persistently Low-Achieving Schools"-  a requirement for the State to be eligible for Federal stimulus money meant to revamp the nation's most poorly performing schools. 

Schools land on the list if they have posted low scores on reading and math tests in the past three years and have shown little improvement, based on the education department's analysis. The schools would qualify for the stimulus money to make changes that should boost student achievement- or face tough consequences if they do not. Drastic consequences- such as replacing the principal and at least half the staff, or turning the school into a charter, or even worse- closing down the school altogether.

The large majority of schools on the list were from Los Angeles Unified, but the Bay Area definitely was present. It was hit hard, with over two dozen local schools making the list.

In San Francisco alone, twelve campuses showed up on the list, in addition to many from Oakland Unified, Mt. Diablo Unified in Contra Costa, Hayward Unified, and San Mateo schools. Some local school board members complained about the list. San Francisco Unified School Board Member Rachel Norton said the 12 San Francisco schools identified by the state are not the city's lowest-performing

Then, yesterday, March 10th, the CDA had a change of mind.

It issued a new, revised list, adding and subtracting from the Monday list. Examples: Contra Costa's Mt. Diablo and Pinole high schools escaped the list, while Glenbrook Middle School in Concord and Helms Middle School in San Pablo were added onto it.

Five San Jose schools were taken off the list.

The California Board of Education did officially approve the altered list in its meeting, today.