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State releases new student test scores
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Ventura County schools generally fared better than state averages in the latest round of academic test results released today by the California Department of Education.
The state Academic Performance Index measures academic growth, and the federal Adequate Yearly Progress report requires that a certain percentage of students be proficient in reading, writing and math. The Adequate Yearly Progress report is required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Both are based on standardized state tests that students take in the spring.
Two-thirds of California schools met federal targets this year, about the same percentage as in 2006. But the number of school districts as a whole meeting the targets fell from 64 percent in 2006 to 53 percent this year.
Ventura County schools fared better individually, with 73 percent meeting the federal targets, about the same as last year. But the number of Ventura County school districts meeting targets dropped, from 62 percent in 2006 to 43 percent this year.
The federal targets hadn't changed from last year and required about one-fourth of elementary students and one-fifth of high school students to test at a proficient level or better. Starting next year, however, the targets will start a steep climb, making it increasingly difficult for schools and districts to be successful. The targets will continue to jump each year, with the goal of having all students proficient in math and language by 2014.
For the API scores, schools are ranked on a scale of 200 to 1,000. Statewide, the percentage of schools that met state targets for score improvements decreased from 53 percent to 45 percent.
In Ventura County, 62 percent of schools met their API goals. Some, however, saw a drop in scores, especially among subgroups, which include ethnic groups, disadvantaged students and those with disabilities.
Posted by rebel123 on August 31, 2007 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So statewide, fewer than half of our public schools meet requirements. And those requirements are for less than a quarter of high school students to be at a proficient level. Does anyone else think that is appalling? This means the vast majority of the kids in this state are below proficiency. Seems like that whole "no child left behind" thing is a real red herring and obviously is not working.
Posted by drumsnwhistles on August 31, 2007 at 6:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NCLB has two fundamental flaws:
a) It sets no bright line goal for schools to hit; and b) It assumes that every child in every school regardless of their background, abilities and socio-economic status can meet the ever-moving proficiency standard.
And then, ask yourself what the term 'proficient' means. A student who reads and comprehends at the 9th grade level in 11th grade may not be proficient enough to attend college, but is proficient enough to read and follow directions, to learn a trade or skill and to conduct their business on a day-to-day basis. So what does it mean to be 'proficient'?
What really hits me as a negative is how dedicated the schools have become to teaching to the test, as they must. That means that test scores become the be-all and end-all, despite the fact that some kids are great test takers and little else, and others are terrible test-takers and incredibly bright.
The bottom line for me is that these 'standards' measure something that's not measurable across a single standard.
Posted by Nosmo_King on August 31, 2007 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rebel you put it ALL in perspective, and the comment by drums REALLY put our schools on alert..If all they are doing is teaching the test and this is the result? I want my money back!
Posted by stroudgoddess on September 7, 2007 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just a little flag waving here - Valley Oak Charter in Ojai, a charter school that was created for the supplement and enrichment of homeschoolers, not only had a 137 point increase in our API, we scored the second highest in the entire county. For all of you who wonder if homeschooling works, check the numbers. (You can read more about us at www.valleyoakcharter.org)
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