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Local schools showed continuing improvement and, in the case of Alta Vista High School, a big jump in the state’s yearly performance rating.
Los Altos’ schools, already ranked high in the state based on previous California Academic Performance Index (API) results, moved even higher after the California Department of Education released this year’s scores last week. Alta Vista High School achieved a 192-point gain and the Los Altos School District was ranked the top elementary school district in the county.
The mandated tests measure a school’s composite academic achievement based on a variety of statewide assessments. API calculations encompass the content areas of English-language arts, mathematics, science and history based on the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) results. The high school scores include the results of the
California High School Exit Exam.
MVLA
The Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District (MVLA) continues to demonstrate academic improvement as measured by an eight-point gain to 820 on the 2008 API. Mountain View High’s score increased 21 points to 854. Los Altos High had a slight dip of seven points to 795. Alta Vista High posted an impressive 192-point gain to reach an API of 700.
The index provides subgroup scores for different student categories. This data indicated that the school district was closing the achievement gap. Student subgroups with the largest improvement over last year are Latino students with a gain of 18 points; Socioeconomically Disadvantaged (SED) students, 17 points; and the English Learners subgroup, 14 points. The Students with Disabilities subgroup registered the largest decrease with the loss of 17 points.
In the federal Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) measure, the district met the baseline criteria in 23 of the 24 areas measured. The only area below the federal standard was within the classification of socioeconomically disadvantaged students in the assessed area of English-language arts.
Alta Vista Principal Bill Pierce was ecstatic about the dramatic increase in student performance at his school.
“Students and staff worked hard all year to ensure that students were mastering the state content standards,” Pierce said. “We looked closely at what was covered on the test and made sure that the appropriate content was covered in class prior to the test. This year students had the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the standards. All teachers at Alta Vista are fully credentialed teachers in every core area.”
Alta Vista serves approximately 150 students at its two-year-old campus on Bryant Avenue in Mountain View.
Hispanic and SED students made gains at Los Altos High. In addition, LAHS increased the English and World History scores. Principal Wynne Satterwhite said she was pleased with the improvement in the performance of her traditionally underserved populations, but noted that there is additional work needed to close the achievement gap.
Mountain View High Principal Keith Moody was equally excited about his school’s increase in measured achievement.
“We have been working hard to close the achievement gap over the past many years,” Moody said. “It looks like our investment in staff development is paying off in increased student learning.”
LASD
The Los Altos School District ranked No. 1 in the county and second in the state with an index of 959, up four points from last year, continuing its success with the state testing.
“Overall, we showed consistency in each of our subject areas,” said Jeff Baier, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
Approximately 3,200 second- through eighth-grade students took the test, which focuses on language arts, mathematics, science and history, last spring.
“We are very pleased with the performance of our students and teachers,” Baier said. “The results speak well of our enthusiastic learners and exemplary teachers.”
Covington School made a substantial jump in its API, increasing 26 points to 954.
“It was been a very focused effort,” said Nancy Davis, principal at Covington. “We looked at each grade-level group and looked to specific needs. We all want success for our kids.”
Oak School, with an API of 982, ranks fourth among the county elementary schools and Loyola School, at 974, ranks ninth.
Not far behind are Almond School, 968, and Bullis Charter School, 967, ranked 13th and 14th, respectively.
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