School test scores improve

School test scores improve
Marin IJ - Aug 31, 2006
By Rob Rogers

Summary:

The troubled Sausalito Marin City District saw API gains in all three of its schools, with Bayside Elementary's score rising 59 points to 782

Complete Story:

Several Marin schools made significant gains in the state's academic rankings.

Most Marin schools and districts continue to rank well above the state average in Academic Performance Index scores, released today by the California Department of Education.

"I'm impressed that we have so many high-achieving schools," said Mary Buttler, assistant superintendent of schools for Marin County. "At least 62 percent of our schools are listed above 800, and 65 percent of our districts were at 800 or above.

"To see where we are is amazing."

The API is a numeric index that ranges from a low of 200 to a high of 1,000 and is based on the results of statewide exams, such as the California Standards Test and high school exit exams. The average API score for California schools rose 11 points this year to 720.

Novato's Rancho Elementary School continues to hold the county's highest ranking, rising 10 points to 957.

But several schools throughout Marin saw a dramatic upsurge in their scores. In Larkspur, Neil Cummins Elementary rose 30 points to a score of 918. In San Rafael, Coleman Elementary climbed 51 points to 826. And in Novato, Hamilton Elementary School saw its API ranking rise 47 points to 819.

"We've seen a change in our demographics," said Hamilton Principal Ruthanne Bexton. "When I arrived here three years ago, we had 42 English learner students. This year we had 155. We've focused on giving all our students added support, but provided additional aid to those who are not English speakers. We've also had English programs for parents at night, so that they can learn the language skills they need to help their children with their homework."

The troubled Sausalito Marin City District saw API gains in all three of its schools, with Bayside Elementary's score rising 59 points to 782. And San Rafael's San Pedro Elementary school's 26-point climb to 909 lifted the school out of the "Program Improvement" needed category.

However, the city's James B. Davidson Middlle School will enter its fourth year of Program Improvement despite a five-point increase in its API rank.

And the Lagunitas School District continues to suffer from low participation in state exams required by federal law.

"That's a district where parental choice has been respected, and where the board of education supports a parent's right to choose whether their child will take the tests," Buttler said.

To view API information for schools, districts, counties and the state, visit the Web at www.cde.ca.gov/apr.

Contact Rob Rogers via e-mail at rrogers@marinij.com