Tri-city Schools Improve API scores

The new API scores reflect an adjustment for performance on the science exam taken by students.

In comparing the scores issued today to what was released in August, most schools had small 1-3 points changes up or down. The exceptions were:

Fremont Unified School District
Cabrillo Elementary now 755 vs. 743 up 12
American High School now 780 vs. 789 down 9
Irvington High School now 787 vs. 795 down 8
Kennedy High School now 713 vs. 723 down 10
Mission San Jose now 922 vs. 932 down 10
Washington High School now 764 vs 758 up 6

So the good news is that the Elementary and middle school kids performance in science is on par with the their reading and math skills, except at Cabrillo elementary where the kids science scores were better than their math and reading skills. The same could be said of the kids at Washington High School, whereas the kids at American, Irvington, Kennedy and even Mission San Jose are performing at level lower on their science exams relative to their math and English.

With regard to the similar school ranking and statement rankings, I don't pay much attention to them, because it's a standardized exam, I'm only interested in knowing how the average kid is performing. If the average kid is performing well I'll interpret it to mean that 1.) the school has motivated kids, 2.) the parents are motivating their kids to perform, 3.)the teachers are doing a good job, 4.) the principal is doing a good and 5.) the school board is a positive influence. If the score isn't at least 825, my buyer's are usually not interested in buying into the neighborhood, and I don't blame them. If they can afford to buy into a neighborhood where score meets their requirements than why not.

Union City (New Haven Unified School District)
pretty much all it's schools scored within 1-4 points of what was reported in August 2006.

Newark Unified School District
the noticeable changes were:
Musick Elementary now 735 v.s 718 up 17 points
Newark Jr. High now 737 vs. 730 up 7 points.

STAR Testing is Coming up

New Haven Unified will be conducting starting its STAR testing as follows:

High School Student: April 24-May 1
Junior Hight Students (grades 6-8) May 7-14
Elementary Students (grades 2-6) May 1-10

At the high school level, results from the California High School Exit Exam also play a part in API scores; CASHEE applications are roughly every 2-3 months (students take 'em 'til they pass 'em).

25% of the actual questions from this year's exam are available for your kids to practice online. I encourage you to have your kids become familiar with these sample/actual test questions.
The results of these standardized exams will be used to publish the 2007 API scores published in August.

Though these dates are for New Haven Unified, other school districts throughout California probably have similar testing dates.