California's Accountability Progress Report Results Show Gains for San Diego
Schools
SAN DIEGO -- For the first time, more than half of San Diego Unified's
elementary schools are identified as high performing by California
Department of Education standards, according to test results released today
as part of the state's Accountability Progress Report.
The state's Academic Performance Index showed 61 of San Diego Unified's 120
elementary schools now exceeded an 800 score on the index, which measures
their students' test results in English language arts and math. An 800
score indicates that students are proficient or advanced in their knowledge
of the subjects ("proficient" can be considered a "B" grade, "advanced" an
"A," while educators identify a "C" level student as being "basic").
"This is wonderful news for the hard working students, teachers and staff at
these elementary schools," said Superintendent Terry Grier. "We've put a
particular emphasis on smaller classes, which we know leads to better
learning."
Schools with a score above 900 -- with students scoring overall at an
advanced level -- total 20 elementary schools.
Including middle and high schools, San Diego Unified has 80 schools at 800
or above, up from 67 in 2007-08, 64 in 2006-07 and 61 in 2005-06. Among
middle schools, 10 of 23 were at 800 (43 percent), and five of 34 high
schools (15 percent). Statewide, making the 800 grade were 48 percent of
elementary schools, 36 percent of middle/junior high schools and 21 percent
of high schools.
"These scores certainly show the growing excellence of our elementary and
middle schools, but they also show we have a great deal of work to do," said
Grier. "Our high schools, for example, range from some of the very best in
the state to others that face great challenges."
Despite the gains, San Diego Unified becomes the last large urban school
district in California to be placed on Program Improvement under the federal
No Child Left Behind Act. Overall, it failed to meet growth targets for
English Language Arts for students identified as Hispanic, Economically
Disadvantaged and Students with Disabilities. In addition the district
failed to meet growth targets in math for students identified as Hispanic,
English Learners and Students with Disabilities. As a result, the district
will be required to submit a plan for improving performance in these areas.
The California Department of Education has posted the results online at:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ar/index.asp
# # #
Jack Brandais
Communications Department
San Diego Unified School District
(619) 725-5570 (Desk)
(619) 607-0477 (Cell)
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