Alta Vista given model award Alta Vista given model award (April 23, 2004)

21 continuation schools statewide recognized by state superintendent

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell has placed three Santa Clara County campuses on his list of 2004 Model Continuation High Schools.

Alta Vista High in Mountain View, Calaveras High in Milpitas, and New Valley High in Santa Clara were among the 21 schools statewide to make the list.

"My High Achieving High School Initiative is focused on implementing high expectations for all students whether they choose to go onto college or straight to a career,'' O'Connell said in a released statement.

"These 21 schools serve as excellent examples (for) other continuation high schools that may want to follow their instructional strategies. Model continuation high schools ensure that students with diverse needs succeed in school and are supported in seeking better jobs,'' he said.

The California Department of Education's Continuation Education program has been an option since 1919 for students in need of more flexible school schedules with an emphasis on vocational or career goals.

The program is designed to meet the needs of students age 16 to 18 who have not graduated from high school, are not exempt from compulsory school attendance and are deemed at risk of not completing their schooling.

According to the Department of Education, more than 68,000 California high school students attended 522 continuation high schools in the 2002-03 school year.

-- Bay City News

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