State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell
released the 2003 Academic Performance Index (API) scores for more
than 8,000 California schools on March 9, and San Benito County
schools were all over the scorecard.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell released the 2003 Academic Performance Index (API) scores for more than 8,000 California schools on March 9, and San Benito County schools were all over the scorecard.
Ranking consists of a scale from 1 to 10 (10 being the highest) to determine a school’s standing compared to others statewide, and to similar schools. Characteristics that define similar schools include average class size, percent of students who are English learners, percent of teachers who have emergency credentials or are fully credential, student mobility, ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
Students at Cienega Elementary School earned 10 out of 10 in the statewide scoring, putting them in the top scoring percentile.
Ranking well “above average,” Southside Elementary School scored 8 out of 10 statewide, and 6 out of 10 when compared to similar schools. Principal Eric Johnson praised the parental support for the success of his students.
“At our school we hold very high expectations for our students, but the key is how involved the parents are,” he said.
Scoring a 6 out of 10 in statewide results, and 5 out of 10 when compared to similar schools, San Benito High School ranked average.
SBHS Superintendent Jean Burns-Slater said their goal is to gain points when being ranked with similar schools.
“When we’re being compared to schools who are similar, it means they have the same raw materials as us,” she said. “We would like to continue to focus on teaching to standards and encourage the students to achieve more.”
Rounding out the bottom of the scale, Calaveras Elementary and Gabilan Hills Elementary both received 2 out of 10 for statewide, and 1 out of 10 when compared to similar schools. Tim Foley, Superintendent of San Benito County schools, said many school populations in the county have honest challenges, and their staffs are doing the best they can to help students achieve.
“I really appreciate all the hard work the principals, teachers and staff have done to help students perform,” Foley said. “I’ve personally worked with certain schools to analyze their data, and see what they can do to improve their programs, and everyone is working very hard to do that.”
Along with statewide and similar school comparison, schools are ranked on a “target growth rate.” This is a way to see how schools have improved within themselves, as far as bridging the gap between minority groups and the majority.
The academic performance and progress of schools are measured by using a numeric index that ranges from a low of 200 to a high of 1000. The growth target for a school is five percent of the difference between a school’s API Base and the statewide performance target of 800.
San Benito High School alone raised their score 40 points in one year, and all other schools in the county reached their goals, except Rancho San Justo Middle School.
Foley and Burns-Slater both agreed reaching target growth rates are huge accomplishments for the schools.
“What the target growth represents is that we’re helping those who are struggling at our school succeed,” Burns-Slater said. “It’s a way of looking at each individual group at our school, and analyzing their progress.”
