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Schools

DHS on Course to Receive State Award

Dixon High School only High School in county eligible to receive California Distinguished School Award.

Dixon High School has a reason to be proud – it's the only school in Solano County that's eligible for the California Distinguished School Award. If the school's graduation rates meet the state's requirements, it will receive the award, Dixon Unified School District Superintendent Roger Halberg said.

California State Board of Education gives the award to public schools that have exemplary and quality educational programs. Eligibility is based on federal and state criteria including the No Child Left Behind program, Academic Performance Index, and Adequate Yearly Process.

"It was great news when the County and State contacted (me)," DHS Principal Ivan Chaidez said. "All the hard work students, parents, teachers, counselors, support staff, coaches and administration has done in the past three years is paying off."

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High schools are recognized in alternating years. School selection is based on an application including a comprehensive description of two of the school's successful signature practices and an application review.

A team of educators from across the state under the direction of the California Department of Education reviews all applications. Completed applications that have met the eligibility criterion receive a site visit by a team of educators including staff from the California Department of Education and also the county superintendents of the schools being examined.

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Chaidez said the state selected Dixon High because of the school's increased academic achievement scores. This past year, Dixon High School's state score increased 28 points – the highest in Solano County for secondary schools.

"Gaining this title means a true validation from the State Board of Education for all of our efforts here at DHS," Chaidez said. "The title brings prestige to our school and respect to our teachers and academic programs."

In order to improve its score and be considered for the award, Dixon High School has had to change their entire school culture so that there would be student improvement – reinforcing positive attendance, athletics and the way business is done at DHS Chaidez said.

He said that teachers have "revised their course of studies, created standards-based pacing guides, created and implemented standards-based formative assessments and benchmarks."

Chaidez said they have also "identified for each course, what the essential standards that students must be proficient in are."

Chaidez says that the school is full of Ram Pride, and has not allowed budget cuts to negatively affect the schools mission and how its students are served. But the school has one hurdle to overcome before it can be recognized by the state Superintendent Halberg said.

The state needs to figure out the school's graduation rates, he said.

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