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Local Schools Continue to Improve API and AYP Scores, Meet Growth Targets and Outperform California Peers

Four of Top Ten API Schools in Santa Clara County

SAN JOSE, CA -- Santa Clara County schools did better than last year – and better than schools in California overall -- on both state and federal measures of academic performance included in the 2006 Accountability Progress Report released by the California Department of Education today.

According to the Santa Clara County Office of Education’s analysis of the APR data,

73 percent of local schools successfully met their Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) targets for 2006 -- 3 percent more than last year and 8 percent higher than schools across the state. AYP is the federal accountability model which measures the percentage of students testing at “proficient” or better based on national standards.

In addition, 79 percent of Santa Clara County schools met their Academic Performance Index (API) growth targets, while only 52 percent met their API targets statewide. API is a comprehensive measure of school performance on standardized tests and is the cornerstone of California’s accountability system. The API index ranges from 200 to 1,000, with 800 set by the state as a target for all schools. “Base scores” are set in January; “growth scores” are calculated in August.

The Adequate Yearly Progress Report also included this API-related data:

• Four of the top 10 performing schools in California are in Santa Clara County, including the top school, Faria Elementary in the Cupertino Union School District, which posted a score of 1000. Also in the top ten were Millikin Elementary in Santa Clara Unified School District (997), Dilworth Elementary in Cupertino Union School District (988), and Hoover Elementary in Palo Alto Unified School District (985).
• The median API score was 785 in Santa Clara County vs. 745 across the state.
• The percent of local schools that met or exceeded the API target of 800 increased from 40% in 2005 to 45% in 2006. High schools showed the biggest jump -- from 15% to 24%.
• Santa Clara County elementary, middle and high schools out-performed schools at each of these levels statewide.
• Santa Clara County’s Asian, Hispanic, White, Socio-economically Disadvantaged and English Learner subgroups had higher median API Growth scores than their peers across the state.
• Nonetheless, there continues to be an achievement gap between subgroups, with White, Asian and Filipino subgroups scoring higher than African American, Hispanic, Socio-economically Disadvantaged, English Learner, and Student with Disabilities subgroups.

“It’s gratifying to see Santa Clara County schools, overall, continue to score significantly above the rest of the state,” said Colleen Wilcox, County Superintendent of Schools. “The median API score has increased every year -- from 741 in 2000 to 785 in 2006.”

“Much of the credit for improved scores goes to local teachers,” said Linda Aceves, assistant superintendent for instructional services at the County Office of Education.

“They have zeroed in on instructional content standards, used data to assess students and determine strengths and weaknesses, and developed strategies to insure proficiency.”

AYP

Data related to Adequate Yearly Progress reflects local students’ continued ability, overall, to outperform students statewide – but also underscores concerns about achievement gaps and graduation rates.

• All subgroups of Santa Clara County schools improved in 2006 AYP in both English/Language Arts and Mathematics.
• Overall, all but one of the subgroups had a higher percent of proficient students when compared to the state. Local Filipino students did not score as high as those throughout the state.
• Within the county, there continues to be an achievement gap in both subject areas between White, Asian, and Filipino students vs. African American, Hispanic, Socio-economically Disadvantaged, English Learner, and Student with Disabilities subgroups.
• The percent of elementary and middle schools that met all AYP criteria rose (78% to 83% of elementary schools; 48% to 57% of middle schools), although the percent of high schools that met all criteria declined (64% to 55%).
• Participation rates of Santa Clara County students are above the federally set target of 95% in all subgroups except Student with Disabilities.

Date last updated: September 1, 2006

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