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Wednesday, Sep. 16, 2009

State says Merced County schools show improvement

Federal standards, however, don't paint as optimistic a picture.

In the eyes of the state, Merced County schools' report cards are improving.

But the feds don't see it the same way.

Seven Merced County schools have reached the state's goal on the Academic Performance Index for the first time.

The California Department of Education released annual data on the state's Academic Performance Index, or API, Tuesday morning.

The API is a number from 200 to 1,000 that shows a school's performance based on state test scores. API scores serve as the main accountability measure for the state.

The goal set by the state for all schools to strive toward is 800.

Ballico Elementary, home to 172 fourth- through eighth-grade students, jumped into the state's "800 Club" this year with a massive 58-point gain.

"We're pretty excited," Superintendent Jose Gonzalez said. "We want to celebrate every success we can in these times."

Gonzalez said students at the school will get a chance to celebrate this Thursday at an assembly.

The six other schools that passed the 800-point mark this year are: Oro Loma Elementary in Firebaugh; El Nido Elementary; Hilmar Middle School; Yamato Colony Elementary in Livingston; Allan Peterson Elementary in Merced; and Plainsburg Union Elementary.

A total of 15 schools in Merced County have surpassed the state goal.

The Academic Performance Index measures improvement in student achievement from one year to the next. Each year, school growth targets are set based on the starting point of the school; they are re-set each year, depending on the level of growth each school site shows.

Sixty-one percent of schools in Merced County met or exceeded their growth requirement this year.

Bernhard Marks Elementary in Dos Palos posted the largest gain in API, jumping to a score of 698 this year, from 616 last year.

Planada Elementary School District posted the largest district-wide gain in the county, with a 47-point increase.

Eighteen of the 20 school districts in Merced County improved their API scores by some measure last school year.

"The 20 school districts in Merced County continue to work hard in improving their educational programs and that hard work is showing in these numbers," county superintendent of schools Lee Andersen said. "I'd like to commend the teachers and all other school staff in Merced County for their commitment to student achievement."

While county schools made significant increases on the state accountability standards, those same schools didn't fare as well on federal standards, a trend across the state.

Fifty-eight percent, or 45 of the 78 Merced County schools subject to sanctions under the No Child Left Behind Act, didn't meet federal standards for adequate yearly progress.

An additional 14 schools were labeled by the California Department of Education as "at-risk" of falling below federal standards next year.

Statewide, the number of schools meeting federal standards fell one percentage point to 51 percent.

"Many schools, while still making real academic gains, have fallen short on the federal measure," said Jack O'Connell, the state superintendent of public instruction. "These two accountability systems can often send conflicting and contradictory signs."

While the state system measures and encourages incremental improvement from year to year, the federal Adequate Yearly Progress measure requires all schools to meet the same targets each year, regardless of their starting point.

When a school doesn't meet federal standards for two years in a row, it's slotted for "program improvement."

Schools and districts in Program Improvement must submit detailed plans to improve student performance and offer parents the option of transferring their students.

Schools and districts in the sixth year of program improvement must begin writing plans to overhaul the existing structures in the schools. This can include plans to re-open as a charter school, replace all or most of the staff or allow state takeover.

Those plans will be initiated if the school fails to meet the standards for a seventh year.

Fifteen schools in Merced County have entered five or more years in program improvement.

Reporter Danielle Gaines can be reached at (209) 385-2407 or dgaines@mercedsun-star.com.