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Schools chief applauds California's significant gains in number, success of students taking AP exams
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said this week he is exceptionally proud of the greater number and success of California students in the class of 2011 who took rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) courses, followed by demanding AP exams.
"Substantially greater numbers of California's public high school students were among the graduating class of 2011 who took challenging AP courses and then did remarkably well on the exams," Torlakson said.
"I also was encouraged to see more minority and low-income students enrolling in AP courses as a precursor to a college career," he said. "We still have a way to go to close the achievement gap among California's students, but these results show that we're moving in the right direction."
The College Board on Wednesday released the eighth annual AP Report to the Nation that showed California is among the top five states providing historically underserved public high school students increased access to the courses and exams.
In addition, the College Board's Report highlighted the "tremendous progress and success of California students and educators."
It revealed that the number of the state's public high school graduates participating in AP has nearly doubled in the last decade, and more than 90,000 students of the graduating class scored a 3 (denoting "qualified") or higher on at least one AP exam – nearly double the number in 2001.
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott on Tuesday encouraged colleges to submit nominations for a new program launched by the board of governors to recognize outstanding achievements in energy efficiency and sustainability.
The winners of the Energy and Sustainability Awards will be invited to the board of governors meeting May 7-8 in Sacramento to receive their recognition.
“In these tough economic times I’ve challenged our districts and campuses to tighten budgets, and one way to do that is to cut energy costs,” Chancellor Scott said. “The cost-savings are great and they’re important. California’s community colleges also are on the forefront of training students for the jobs of today and tomorrow, and that includes careers in renewable energy such as wind and solar. Highlighting best practices in these areas will help our system and our state.”
In conjunction with the California Community Colleges/Investor-Owned Utility Energy Efficiency Partnership, the awards will be granted in three categories to better highlight the comprehensive approach to sustainability taken by the community colleges.
The award categories are district leadership, facilities and operation and faculty/student initiatives.
The California Community Colleges Board of Governors President Scott Himelstein said the awards are part of a broader commitment to make the system’s 112 campuses operate more efficiently by developing a strategic plan for energy procurement and on-site generation. This will reduce the colleges’ reliance on the grid by using economically feasible renewable energy technologies.
“This policy commitment simply makes sense for the environment, for our students and for the taxpayers, and I’d like to thank board member Henry A. J. Ramos for his leadership in this area,” Himelstein said.
The district leadership award will go to individuals who have excelled in conceiving, supporting and implementing sustainability initiatives in their districts.
District initiatives must demonstrate successful outcomes, including a clear call to action, success in securing funding and engagement of the campus community in the planning and implementation.
The facilities and operations award will recognize individuals or a district/campus as a whole that has excelled in implementing sustainability projects or programs in district facilities while the winner of the faculty/student initiatives category will have excelled in sustainability both in and out of the classroom.
The award recipient will have incorporated the initiative into campus operations, engaged the campus community and embedded the effort into student learning with measurable success.
All nominated initiatives should have been completed in 2011 or are in the implementation phase.
To be considered for the award, colleges must submit a completed nomination form by email no later than March 16, 2012 to Dan Estrada at
Winners will be announced March 30.
For more information, call 916-324-8901.
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation. It is composed of 72 districts and 112 colleges serving 2.6 million students per year. Community colleges supply workforce training, basic skills courses in English and math, and prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities.
The Chancellor’s Office provides leadership, advocacy and support under the direction of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This year, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will award up to $1 million in scholarships to students who live within its Northern and Central California service area.
There is still time for Lake County students to apply for the inaugural PG&E Bright Minds Scholarships.
To date, Lake County has nine applicants for the PG&E Bright Minds Scholarship, the company said this week.
Up to 10 students will receive full-ride scholarships of up to $30,000 per year, renewable for up to four years or until a degree or certificate is earned.
Finalists also will receive a $2,500 scholarship award and can reapply each year.
To be eligible, students must live within PG&E’s 70,000 square-mile service area, be a high school senior or graduate, be at least 16 years old and plan to enroll at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school.
The Bright Minds scholarship is open to high school graduates and adult students returning to college.
The deadline to apply is Feb. 17.
Text “scholarship” or “estudios” to 97900 to receive information on your mobile phone, or visit www.pge.com/brightminds to apply.
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UKIAH, Calif. – Mendocino College is accepting scholarship applications for the 2012-13 fall and spring semesters until 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 1.
“Last year the college awarded 166 scholarships, totaling over $162,000,” said Lana Eberhard, Mendocino College Foundation scholarship coordinator.
Speaking to a dozen interested students, Eberhard shared that about 55 percent of last year’s applicants received a financial award and that three quarters of them received $1,000 or more.
Some awards are up to $2,500 for the academic year.
“One application is all you have to fill out for a wide variety of scholarships,” said Eberhard.
Students may qualify and receive more than one award. Some of the career specific awards include nursing, sciences, culinary arts and public service. High school students, current college students and anyone enrolling in the fall 2012 semester are eligible to apply.
The application must be typed or keyed from the form available on the Mendocino College Web site.
An essay about why financial assistance is needed and two letters of recommendation are required. Graduating high school seniors must submit a copy of their official high school transcripts with their application packets.
“The essay is evaluated on need and the ability to express how the scholarship will help a student attend and stay in college,” says Eberhard. “Tell a compelling story and write about what is important to you.”
She is available in the Mendocino College Foundation office to assist with questions and the application.
In addition she has posted an extensive list of tips on how to complete a successful application on the college Web site.
“I advise anyone considering applying to start right now to give themselves time to contact those they are asking for recommendations and draft the essay,” said Eberhard.
The college invites people interested in contributing to one of the many scholarships, the book awards or in setting up a personally sponsored scholarship to contact the Mendocino College Foundation at 707-467-1018.
Scholarships are usually awarded based on career or educational goals, grade point average, financial need, and service to community groups, clubs, volunteerism and other awards.
To apply for a scholarship visit the Mendocino College website at www.mendocino.edu then click “students” and go to “scholarships.”
Other scholarship opportunities not connected to the college are also listed on the Mendocino College website.
For more information call Lana Eberhard at 467-1018 or
The Mendocino College scholarship awards ceremonies are held in May and the scholarship money is available in August for the fall semester.
For more information about contributing to the Mendocino College Foundation, call the Foundation Office at 707-467-1018 or email Katie Wojcieszak at