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[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 177 (Thursday, November 20, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                 SWEETWATER HIGH SCHOOL MAKES HISTORY!

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to recognize 
Sweetwater High School in National City, California, a school in 
California's 51st Congressional District, my district, with a statement 
prepared by the school which touts its remarkable success.
  In the United States of the 21st Century, no single institution has 
received more attention, been the center of more controversy or 
passionately advanced as ``the last best hope'' of passing on the 
promise of national excellence than the public high school. The driving 
force behind the passage by Congress of ``No Child Left Behind'' was to 
create schools that reflect equity--where dynamic learning environments 
driven by high academic standards will promote academic, social and 
ethical growth for ALL students.
  Schools are held accountable through a comprehensive assessment 
program that measures achievement and yearly progress for every 
student, their scores reported by gender, by ethnicity, by parent 
education, by economic circumstance. No child was left undiscovered, 
and in 2001, at Sweetwater High School, it was alarmingly clear that 
many had been left behind.
  Census reports from 2001 reported that National City ranked as the 
second poorest city in San Diego County and had the fifteenth poorest 
economy in the United States for a city of fewer than 59,000 residents. 
Located seven miles north of the Mexican border, Sweetwater High 
School, built in 1921, serves culturally and socially diverse low-
income families whose needs place unique demands on the school and 
staff who serve them. Eight of ten students speak a language other than 
English at home. More than 80 percent of the 2500 students qualify for 
the free lunch program.
  In its first reporting year for ``No Child Left Behind,'' Sweetwater 
scored a lowly 461 out of a possible 1000 on the Academic Performance 
Index (API) and more telling, did not meet adequate yearly progress by 
its targeted populations. In the second year, while the API score 
improved significantly and some gains had been made, the school did not 
meet the goals established by the federal guidelines of ``No Child Left 
Behind.'' Two consecutive years of unmet goals landed Sweetwater High 
on the Federal List of Failing Schools.
  What followed is Sweetwater High School at its best, Sweetwater High 
School calling on 87 years of Spirit and Pride.
  Under the leadership of new principal Wesley Braddock, 
administrators, counselors, resource personnel, and teachers united to 
develop a school-wide assault on poor and failing scores. District 
curriculum and instructional staff provided resources and support 
identified by Sweetwater teachers and administrators as key to moving 
ALL students to academic success, with proficiency on state exams and 
meeting and exceeding federal benchmarks for performance. Student data 
became the map staff followed in search of the keys that would unlock 
the treasure chest of achievement. Students who had previously missed 
the proficiency cut were assigned an extra support class to assist them 
in developing critical thinking strategies and test taking skills. 
Incoming 10th grade students identified as below basic--those in the 
lowest quartile--were given additional support. This strategy provided 
in-depth remediation and academic development prior to the California 
High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) to the Sophomore Class each February. 
Most striking was the challenge to those sophomores who were ``not at 
risk,'' that they too should work hard in their core academic classes.
  Principal Braddock went personally to every 10th grade English class 
and spoke from his heart about the importance of doing well, about the 
Sweetwater Tradition to rise far beyond what others think we can do. 
While 350 is the score required to pass the CAHSEE exam, this minimum 
state score was not sufficient to move Sweetwater out of the federal 
Program Improvement category. Principal Braddock then issued the ``380 
Challenge.'' He challenged students to do what so many said Sweetwater 
High would never do. He told them that together, they would accomplish 
great things. To accomplish those great things, all of us, students, 
staff, administration, parents and community would not only act, but 
dream, and not just to dream, but to BELIEVE! Students did believe, and 
many smashed the 380 goal, giving Sweetwater High the largest passing 
percentage in English-Language Arts in the district.
  The staff and students have learned over these past three years that 
great things are not done by impulse, but by knowing the goal, 
committing to the work, and hitting the target always saying, WE 
BELIEVE.
  Sweetwater High School has raised its Academic Performance Index 
(API) from 461 to 706.
  Sweetwater's API growth is the 5th highest in the entire state of 
California.
  Sweetwater High School's 97 percent Attendance Rate is the highest in 
the 30,000 student/23 school Sweetwater Union High School District.
  Sweetwater High School, in September of 2008, made history by being 
one of only two schools to make it off the Federal Watch List. In fact, 
its achievement has surpassed the achievement of 851 of California's 
855 high schools.
  Sweetwater High School, stands with firm resolve, both feet planted 
in this 21st century. The staff and students of Sweetwater High 
exemplify extraordinary courage as they continue to engage in attacking 
and mastering the rigorous academic standards set forth by the state 
and the nation. Their resilience and resolve rise up from their State 
of the Heart Legacy and will take each generation of students into a 
world where they not only believe in their ability but will achieve 
success. For those looking for that ``Last Best Hope'' described in A 
Nation at Risk, just Google . . . 2900 Highland Avenue, National City, 
CA: Sweetwater High School--``Home of the Red Devils!''
  As an educator, I applaud the achievements of the students, staff, 
teachers, administrators, parents and the community of Sweetwater High 
School! I was so moved by the efforts of these students that I was able 
to obtain $292,000 in federal funds for students at Sweetwater High 
School and neighboring high schools for their Compact for Success. This 
Compact is a program that guarantees a place at San Diego State 
University for every graduating high school student who maintains a 
``B'' average and meets the goals of the Compact. Participation in the 
Compact is yet one more way that the Sweetwater High School community 
is challenging and rewarding its students, the students who are a 
beacon of light and a remarkable example of what can be achieved when 
everyone focuses on the goal, the goal of a quality education for each 
and every student.

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