The Sacramento Bee, June 6, 1996
SCHOOL'S METHODS WIN KUDOS
ACADEMY CURRICULUM EMPHASIZES CAREERS
By Gary Pitzer, Neighbors staff writer
   Federal officials recently honored Encina High School for successfully
redefining education to suit a changing student body and a changing world.
   On May 22, Encina was one of 10 high schools in the nation and the only
California school recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the
Berkeley-based National Center for Research in Vocational Education as an
example of "New American High Schools."
   The 37-year-old campus was once part of the burgeoning suburban
landscape that characterized Sacramento at the height of post-World War II
development. The predominantly white, middle-class student body of years
past is now one of many ethnic groups and income levels.
   To adapt to these changes, Encina has supplemented its traditional
college-preparatory courses with academy-style "schools within a
school" that prepare students for careers in business, medicine or the
arts. A law enforcement academy is planned for fall, in cooperation
with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.
   Encina was one of 450 sites recommended and one of 30 visited by the
education officials, said Patricia W. McNeil, a federal assistant
secretary-designate for vocational and adult education. "These schools are
organizing differently, teaching differently, seeking new partnerships and
integrating academic and vocational education to better meet the needs of
students," said McNeil. "They are revitalized schools that have created
learning environments to encourage, coach and support all students in
learning core academics, as well as in developing self-discipline, good work
habits and the technical skills they will need for college and workplace
success." McNeil said.
   Encina principal Tom Gemma said the award is the federal government's way
of acknowledging that the school is on the cutting edge of secondary
education. "It really has validated what we do here," he said. "We've had to
overcome a bad image."
   Gemma, who's been at the forefront of Encina's reformation as a high
school of academies, said the selection recognizes Encina's ability to
provide traditional courses as well as classes that lead students more
directly into entry-level work. "Our basic philosophy is that we're trying
to train for real life experience here," Gemma said.
   Encina's selection is especially noteworthy because its enrollment
includes many "at-risk" students as well as many whose native language
is not English.
   "We were so proud to be recognized," said social science teacher Anne
Levin, who heads the career exploration academy. "We're the only school
doing this with such a diverse population."
   Student body president Erick Crans, who accompanied Gemma to
Washington, D.C., to receive the award, said the academies have gotten
students "more interested in class" while preparing them for work
beyond jobs at fast-food restaurants. Some classmates in the health
academy are learning to administer radiological tests and scans at
Sutter Hospital, he said.
   Changes at Encina, which have included a shift to "bloc" scheduling
have met some resistance, said Gemma. "We had to challenge union rules and
the school district to attack the barriers and change things," he said.
   Business Academy facilitator coordinator Bob Kirrene, a
31-year veteran at the school, said the academies have instilled in students
a sense of purpose. "Right now, we have a lot of nice kids who want to
learn," Kirrene said. "Students can see the relevance of what they're
learning."
   In addition to the benefits of partnering with business the school's
revamped approach has kindled a tighter relationship between teachers and
students while streamlining curriculum. "The main thing is kids see a reason
to go to school," said Kirrene. "That's the thing we never had before. (The
academies) bring education a little more alive."
   Encina faculty members have embraced the academy concept, Kirrene said.
"The teachers believe in the concept," he said. "I've never seen
faculty united like this before."
   Levin said the job-training skills students receive in the academies
gives them a valuable head start with potential employers.
"They can go in and they're already trained," she said. "Employers can
say, "Oh, you went to Encina.''"
   Gemma tells other educators that Encina's success has not been the
result of any magic, quick-fix formula. "(Changes) don't happen overnight,"
he said. "I can't give them a blueprint. I tell them to just keep plugging
away on an overall vision."
   Gemma, who envisions pre-school through adult-education offerings at the
school, said the success of Encina's academies does not mean that teachers
and administrators are happy to stand pat. "That's what happened to the old
model. It got complacent," he said. "We have to continue to improve from
month to month."