Here are some decisions coming out of...

Here are some decisions coming out of Tuesday night’s Newport-Mesa

Unified School District meeting.

PRIDE AWARDS

The district gave out its Proudly Recognizing Individuals

Demonstrating Excellence Awards.

WHAT IT MEANS

Teachers, administrators and district personnel received the

awards for the second quarter of the 2003-04 school year. The program

recognizes employees providing exceptional customer service to

students, community members and fellow employees. There were 23

awards recipients.

ADULT EDUCATION WEEK

Adult Education Principal Becky Gogel-Bishai made a presentation

about adult education in the district and asked them to pass a

resolution supporting National Adult Education Week, March 15 through

19.

WHAT IT MEANS

In her presentation, Gogel-Bishai listed the educational and

vocational services the district provides. Last year, the program

served 5,000 students, 1,800 of whom had children in Newport-Mesa

schools.

Programs offered include basic education, a high school diploma,

English as a second language, citizenship, job training, family

literacy, programs for handicapped adults, senior citizens and

parents.

Adult education week starts March 15 and the board is expected to

sign a resolution supporting the week.

WHAT WAS SAID

“With a GED, I can aspire to take classes at college,” adult

education student Veronica Sanchez told the board. “It has opened

many doors. I feel I am a productive person and can communicate about

services I need -- all this thanks to Whittier [Adult] School.”

ADULT SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY MODEL

The board adopted the Alternative Schools Accountability Model for

Back Bay High School.

WHAT IT MEANS

The state developed the model for alternative schools as part of

the Public Schools Accountability Act. Student performance is

measured differently at those schools than at traditional high

schools, and the district must choose the criteria by which the

school is judged. Back Bay High School’s two indicators were

attendance and suspensions, but the state said the schools have to

now pick a third indicator.

The board agreed to select graduation credit completion for the

model because that is a focus at the school.