More Valley Schools May Face Closure

Struggling Modesto, Turlock schools face dramatic changes
Robertson Road Elementary, Turlock High among state's lowest-achieving schools
From Modesto Bee

Officials confirmed Saturday that west Modesto's Robertson Road Elementary School and Turlock High School are among California's "persistently lowest-achieving schools" — a state designation that will trigger drastic action to try to improve them.

Rumors swirled Friday that that the schools were closing, and that state officials had already come to campus to lock up doors. Another rumor was that all teachers were given pink slips for next school year.

None of those are true, district and teachers union officials stressed Saturday.
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Modesto Bee - DARRYL BUSH/dbush@modbee.com The front entrance to Robertson Road School, in Modesto, Calif., on Saturday, March 6, 2010.

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The designation brings with it stiff action to turn the schools around, including replacing principals and half the schools' staff, converting to charter schools or closing the schools.

Administrators said Saturday they haven't decided which of four turn-around choices to use.

The state Department of Education is preparing a list of the bottom 5 percent of California's 10,000 schools — the rankings are based on student performance on state tests in English and math.

The full list of "persistently lowest-achieving schools" will be released Monday morning and more Stanislaus County schools could be on it. Friday, administrators started informing staff at schools on the list, including Robertson Road and Turlock High.