California released statewide school test scores before Labor Day and once again Palisades High, Paul Revere Middle and the town’s three elementary schools, Canyon, Marquez and Palisades, rank among the top in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
As part of school accountability, public school students in second through 11 grade are given California Standard Tests (CST) annually, then compared to students statewide using results based largely on math and English, which are translated into an API that ranges from 200 to 1,000. The target for all California schools is 800.
“The API is weighted,” said Tina Jung, California Department of Education information officer. “That means if one subgroup of students performs really well and it’s a large subgroup, and it’s tallied up with another subgroup that does not perform as well, but is a smaller subgroup, then the overall score will be higher. And vice versa.”
Additionally, the score is further weighted so that schools that raise students from “far below basic” to “below basic” categories (the lowest two), receive more credit than students rising from “proficient” to “advanced” (top categories). “Basic” is the middle category.
Canyon School
Canyon Elementary, with 263 students tested, saw an increase in its API from 971 to 977, making it the top-scoring kindergarten through fifth-grade school in LAUSD.
The only school to score higher was KIPP Academy in the Crenshaw area, a K through third-grade school that had a 991.
“I’m really proud of our kids, teachers and community,” said principal Joyce Dara. “We’ve worked hard and it’s nice to see that number.”
Dara attributes the continued growth to great teachers—“We have some of the best”—and having “wonderful students who come from homes where parents and guardians support the school and our work.” Dara also cites added technology in classrooms as a reason for the school’s continuing API climb.
“The increase has helped teachers differentiate using the actual technology, but also allows teachers to work in small groups while students are engaged in various programs that support the standards such as ST Math, IStation and Fast Math.”
Other high performing elementary schools in the area include Westwood’s Warner Avenue (960), Santa Monica’s Franklin (949) and Malibu’s Webster (944).
Paul Revere Middle School
Revere, with 2072 students, continues to be one of the few middle schools in the LAUSD to make the “900 Club” with an API of 903.
“We are the highest scoring traditional middle school in the District,” said Principal Fern Somoza. “LACES was 908, and they are a highly-gifted magnet school with 6 through 12 grade. They also handpick their student body and are one-third the size of Revere.
“Our teachers and students at Revere succeeded during a time at LAUSD that saw major reduction in force, financial deficits and constant administrative change,” Somoza said. “An API of 903 is a terrific feat for students, staff, administration and faculty. As Revere’s principal, I could not be prouder.”
Somoza said that in the past five years, continuous improvement has been the school’s focus. In 2003, when Principal Art Copper took over leadership, the school had a 774 API. Scores rose steadily every year, and under Somoza, who came to the school in 2008, the API has now improved by 86 points.
Revere also continues to post some of the highest marks in the state in math. In Algebra 1, 97 percent of seventh graders (185) score proficient or advanced (highest two categories), and 82 percent of eighth graders (316). In geometry, 98 percent of students (167) scored in the highest two categories.
English and language arts showed high results with 82 percent of sixth graders (667), 79 percent of seventh graders (645) and 77 percent of eighth graders (670) scoring in the highest categories.
By contrast , Santa Monica’s Lincoln Middle School (1,023 students) had a 907, West L.A.’s Palms (1,531 students) 878 and Venice’s Mark Twain (655 students) 715.
Palisades Charter High School
PaliHi tested 2,091 students and received an 861 API, an eight-point jump from 2012. By comparison, Granada Hills (3069 students) was 885, Malibu (916 students) 883, Beverly Hills (1,265 students) 865 and Santa Monica High (2,116) 823.
Compared to state averages of students who were proficient and above, PaliHi averaged 61 percent on science (state average was 46 percent), 71 percent on social studies (state average was 49 percent) and 72 percent on life sciences (state average 56 percent). The only area where PaliHi lagged was math, with 50 percent (state average was 51 percent).
The CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) is also factored into every high school’s API. The test is first administered in the 10th grade, which allows students two additional years to pass. PaliHi had a 93 percent pass rate for first-time takers. In math, 659 of 705 passed, and in English, 660 of 710 passed.
“Last year, Palisades High began a more targeted approach to supporting students with specific academic needs,” said Principal Dr. Pamela Magee. “We offered intervention classes focused on filling in the gaps that some students had in their content knowledge. After reviewing class grades, results of previous state assessments and performance on practice assessments, the school placed identified students in support classes.
“Additionally, PCHS core subject teachers (math, English, social studies, and science) participated in professional development throughout the school year that focused on strengthening instruction through student engagement,” Magee said, noting the school’s next challenge will come as it transitions to the Common Core State Standards which go into effect next year.
“The standards require students to demonstrate their content mastery differently than was previously required with ‘bubble tests,’” Magee said. “The new standards and assessments stress communication, collaboration, creativity and problem-solving skills.”
Marquez Elementary
Marquez Elementary, with 386 students tested, saw its API rise from 929 to 934. “In analyzing five years of test data, it tells a compelling and consistent story justifying the instructional model at Marquez, which is based on half-group classroom instruction and enrichments,” said Principal Emily Williams. “All students (including our sub-groups: African American, Asian, Latino, English language learners and students with disabilities) are outperforming both district and state benchmarks.
“The instructional model continues to demonstrate the successful partnership between a staff of dedicated teachers, engaged parents and collaborative administration, working on behalf of each child,” Williams said. “Two major changes were introduced this year: class-size reduction in K-5, and an increase in teachers’ aide time in the classroom during core instruction.”
Williams also cited the school’s award-winning hands-on science/STEM and technology programs as reasons for the increased scores.
Marquez, which has employed laptops for students in first through fifth grade since the fall of 2006, received the Apple Distinguished School award in 2010 and 2012.
Palisades Elementary
Palisades Elementary improved six points to 952. “We are thrilled with the results,” said Principal Joan Ingle, who acknowledges that once a school reaches a high achievement level, it becomes challenging to continue to drive increases. “We are particularly proud of these results, given that our school has such a diverse student body population of 336, inclusive of students in need of special education programs, which we remain committed to providing.
“In fact, the individualized teaching approach, including the new learning lab which we launched last year, are key elements of our overall success,” Ingle said, noting that she doesn’t feel just one area is responsible for the rising scores. “Our continued success is based on a comprehensive 365-days-a-year commitment to providing our kids with the best education possible. Our teachers are some of the best and hardest working educators in the district. Our parents bring their children to school ‘ready to learn,’ and our administration and parent organization (PEP) work tirelessly to make Pali the best it can be.”
Ingle also notes, “While we are thrilled with the test result numbers, our real focus continues to be on the kids and the classroom. We believe if we concentrate on each and every child succeeding, than the scores will reflect our efforts.”
To view LAUSD API scores visit: api.cde.ca.gov/Acnt2013/2013GrthAPIDst.aspx?allcds=1964733.
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