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two Cubberly teachers use assessment
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Long Beach School Earns
National Award for Excellence in Teaching
By G.M. Bush
Staff writer
Long Beach Press-Telegram
Wednesday, May 28, 1997
The Ellwood P. Cubberley School has become the first Long Beach school --
and one of only 31 in the state -- to receive the prestigious National Blue
Ribbon Award from the U.S. Office of Education.
The Blue Ribbon Awards will be presented at a fall ceremony in Washington,
D.C.
``It's a tremendous honor for us,'' said Long Beach Unified School District
spokesman Richard Van Der Laan.
William Vogel, principal of the kindergarten through eighth-grade school
near Spring Street and Studebaker Road, called the award a great honor.
Only schools that have been named Distinguished Schools by their individual
states could apply. A coalition of Cubberley administrators, parents and
teachers worked on their school's 40-page submission.
All submissions had to include entries in several major categories: effectiveness
of schooling; standards and curriculum; teaching procedures; professional
growth; school leadership; community involvement; and indicators of success,
such as test scores and attendance.
In addition, Cubberley chose two categories for additional emphasis: technology
and global studies.
Vogel said Cubberley's many special programs make the school outstanding.
Those programs include extra classes offered during and after school and
electives for middle school pupils such as marine biology, journalism, technology,
and speech and debate. Cubberley is also a leader in teaching foreign languages.
Before winning schools were selected, U.S. Office of Education experts met
with teachers, parent groups, the district superintendent and children,
Vogel said.
Kristine Dassero, president-elect of the Cubberley PTA and mother of a fourth-grader,
said the school goes out of its way to be creative. ``This is a wonderful
school,'' she said. ``The quality of education is remarkable. All schools
have their pluses and minuses, but the pluses here are fantastic.''
She also had high praise for the faculty. ``The teachers are really motivated.
They are giving their time, not only during school, but also after school.''
Read a story about how two Cubberly
teachers use assessment
from "Changing Schools in Long Beach"
Read comments from Cubberly students about using
rubrics
from "Changing Schools in Long Beach"