A majority of schools in San Benito County experienced
improvement in their Academic Performance Index scores in the past
year, but the county still lags when it comes to the state and
federal academic goals, according to the Accountability Progress
Report released Monday by the California Department of
Education.
A majority of schools in San Benito County experienced improvement in their Academic Performance Index scores in the past year, but the area still lags when it comes to the state and federal academic goals, according to the Accountability Progress Report released Monday by the California Department of Education.
Nearly 46 percent of the state’s public schools surpass the statewide target of an 800 API score, yet only six of the county’s 24 schools scored 800 or better, according to the results. In the federal Adequate Yearly Progress report, most of the county’s schools failed to meet the rigorous standards that change yearly.
Overall, the county lost a total of 28 points off its test scores but mostly because of the 217-point decrease from Willow Grove Union Elementary School. Last year, the school scored 836 but if fell this year to 619. The school did meet the federal standards.
Teacher and Principal Keegan White initially declined to comment Monday, but added she might make a statement later.
Nine of the county’s schools scored worse than last year on the test, and the others slightly increased their scores. The biggest increase belonged to Jefferson Elementary, which improved 97 points.
Southside Elementary scored the highest in San Benito County in the API test for the second year in a row, almost reaching 900 points at 894, well above the state’s goal.
“We are always proud of them when they come out,” said Eric Johnson, Southside School District superintendent. “We put in a lot of work and it shows up on the test.”
Johnson preached the school’s focus on accountability to teachers, students and parents as the reason why it does so well on the tests.
“It’s all about expectations and accountability,” Johnson said. “It goes beyond just me – everybody has to do their part.”
Elsewhere in the county, San Benito High School increased its API score by 20 points, and Anzar High decreased by 15 points.
The Hollister School District struggled in the API results as six of the district’s nine schools had decreased scores. Cerra Vista Elementary increased its score by one point. Rancho San Justo Middle School and R.O. Hardin Elementary received the same score as last year.
The API measures year-to-year improvement and provides incentives when a student increases his or her score in standardized testing such as the STAR. The AYP is a federally mandated system that scores students solely on whether they are testing at a proficient level.
The AYP standards increased 11 percent from last year and it is expected to increase each year until 100 percent of students are at proficient levels, according to a press release from the Department of Education. This year, elementary and middle schools were expected to score 57 percent efficiency in English and 58 percent efficiency in math. High schools were expected to score 55.6 percent in English and 54.8 percent in math.
Only six San Benito County schools met the federal criteria in both math and English, but seven other schools met at least one of the subject’s criteria.
For elementary and middle schools, the AYP is based on results from STAR, California Alternative Performance Assessment and the California Modified Assessment. At the high school level, it is determined by a tenth grade census.
