Students in San Bernardino City Unified Schools continue making academic gains in English/language arts and math, helping the District’s test scores outpace surrounding districts.
State test scores released today for the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) show more San Bernardino City Unified School District students are meeting and exceeding academic standards. The District’s test scores grew two percent in both English language arts and math, signaling modest growth that surpassed the San Bernardino County average of one percent growth.
The CAASPP includes the Smarter Balanced Assessment, which is based on the Common Core Standards, and the California Alternative Assessments, which measures the academic progress of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.
Forty-seven schools, or 69 percent of District schools, demonstrated positive gains in English/language arts over the previous year, with 18 of those schools demonstrating significant growth in the number of students meeting and exceeding standards. And, 43 schools, or 63 percent of District schools, grew in math.
Fifteen San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) schools showed significant growth in their CAASPP test scores and had 50 percent or more of their students who met or exceeded the standards.
Those schools are Anton, Emmerton, Hillside, Holcomb, Jones, North Verdemont, Riley, and Thompson Elementary Schools; Chavez, Paakuma’ K-8, Richardson PREP HI, and Rodriguez PREP Middle Schools; and Indian Springs, Middle College and San Bernardino High Schools.
“We appreciate the state’s use of multiple measures,” said Superintendent Dr. Dale Marsden. “Our progress demonstrates how the achievement gap is narrowing when compared with San Bernardino County averages.”
The data shows that SBCUSD students are making improvements overall and growth exceeded that of San Bernardino County and state averages by one percent or more.
“The data can tell us what, but it can’t always tell us why,” said Accountability and Educational Technology Director Barbara Richardson. “That’s something it will take further research and open communication with parents, students, and school staff to determine.
“One factor that has been clearly demonstrated to positively affect student academic achievement is regular attendance,” Richardson continued. “Regular attendance means students are in school every day, on time. That’s why we are making a major effort this year to improve attendance across the board at all grade levels.”