TOP STATEWIDE ENGLISH SCORES RISE AS TESTING GAINS CONTINUE AT SAN DIEGO
UNIFIED
District's English Language Arts are Tops Among State's Large School
Districts
State test scores gained for the fifth straight year for students in the
San Diego Unified School District, according to results released today by
the state Department of Education, with San Diego Unified now having the
highest English Language Arts scores of any large urban district in
California.
Across-the-board increases were seen in the four subjects tested: English
language arts, mathematics, science, and history/social sciences, as more
students now have knowledge rated "proficient" or "advanced," the top two
rankings in the California Standards Test. Overall, students testing
proficient or advanced on the test increased by: English, 3 points over
2010 and 14 points since 2007; mathematics up 2 points from last year and
12 since 2007. California's standard for students is that they have a
proficient or advanced knowledge of the subject (the other levels are
basic, below basic and far below basic).
"All of us in San Diego and in California owe an enormous debt of
gratitude to our school communities," said Richard Barrera, president of
the San Diego Unified Board of Education. "Facing the worst financial
crisis to ever hit public education, our teachers, principals, support
staff, parents and students continue to keep their focus and make clear,
steady progress in educating California's next generation.
"Now it's up to the rest of us to pull together and do our part to support
public education and the heroes in our local school communities."
Superintendent Bill Kowba also lauded the effort.
"I congratulate all of our students, teachers and staff for this
outstanding result," said Kowba. "This continued progress comes despite
some of the most trying times in the long history of our district, as the
budget has had significant cuts each of these years."
San Diego Unified overtook San Francisco Unified for the top spot in
English Language Arts proficiency, with 59 percent of students showing
proficient or advanced knowledge of the subject. Last year, San Diego and
San Francisco tied at 56. Other large-district scores include: Los
Angeles, 44 percent; Fresno, 39 percent, and Sacramento, 49 percent.
These test scores are closely watched as a barometer of the achievement
gap -- the difference in test scores between ethnic groups. There was a
narrowing of the gap in English language arts, as Hispanic students showed
a 16 percent gain and African Americans rose 13 percent since 2007,
outpacing the 12 point rise shown by White students. Still, students
testing proficient or advanced numbered 44 percent for Hispanics and 46
percent for African Americans, well behind the White score of 81 percent.
"Our efforts continue to bring student achievement up for all ethnic
groups, especially Hispanics and African-Americans," said Dr. Nellie
Meyer, Deputy Superintendent for Academics. "We continue to work not only
with our teachers and staff, but the San Diego community to find local
solutions to this national problem."
Individual schools showed significant increases in English language arts
over 2010. Among elementary schools, Marvin Elementary had the largest
jump, with 80.6 percent of the students now proficient or advanced, up
from 65.6 in 2010. Roosevelt Middle increased to 55.9 from 47.6; and San
Diego High School of the Arts to 34.7
from 23.5.
Statewide, San Diego Unified was also near the top of the list of largest
districts in other tested areas. In mathematics, San Diego's 51 percent
proficient or advanced was topped only by Garden Grove with 60 and San
Francisco with 56. Other districts' scores include: Sacramento, 49; Los
Angeles, 43; Oakland, 45; and San Bernardino, 38.
Overall science scores (combined grades 5, 8 and 10 science tests required
by the No Child Left Behind Act) put San Diego Unified at 61 percent
proficient or advanced, tied with San Francisco. Garden Grove topped the
list with 64 percent. A sampling of other districts' scores: Los Angeles,
46 percent, Fresno and San Bernardino, 40 percent; and Sacramento, 48
percent.
For more details on the scores and tests, go the California Department of
Education website at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/.
# # #
Jack Brandais
Communications Department
San Diego Unified School District
(619) 725-5570 (desk)
(619) 607-0477 (cell)
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