January 17, 2001

NEWEST API RANKINGS VALIDATE REFORM EFFORTS IN SAN DIEGO

The new Academic Performance Index (API) scores released today for San Diego City Schools show that the district’s ongoing back-to-basics reforms have enabled more schools to meet the state’s required academic improvement growth targets.

Twenty-nine schools out of 151 that received scores recorded a 2000 API score at or above 800, the point on a scale from 200 to 1000 that represents a high-performing school. In 1999, 16 San Diego city schools received an index score at or above 800. The index scores are computed and released by the state Department of Education based on results from the spring 2000 Stanford 9 (SAT 9) standardized achievement test. Twenty-four elementary schools had scores at or above 800, compared to 13 in 1999. Four middle/junior high schools were at 800 or above, compared to two in 1999. One high school was above 800, the same as in 1999.

"I am gratified that our literacy and math reforms, together with the dedication and hard work on the part of so many teachers and administrators, are bringing positive results for our students," said Alan Bersin, superintendent of public education. "But we still have much to accomplish to bring our schools to the point where all students meet and exceed academic standards, especially for those schools which still have scores below the state averages. The latest data represent new goals which we must meet by continuing our focused instruction to improve student skills in the gateway areas of literacy and mathematics."

Seventy-four elementary schools received a 2000 API score at or above 675, the point set by the state to represent an average performing elementary statewide. In 1999, 72 elementary schools received scores at or above the average elementary API score set at 631. Thirty-six elementaries received a 2000 API score below 675, compared to 48 in 1999 with scores below the 631 average. Fourteen elementary schools did not receive 2000 scores because the district voluntarily reported testing irregularities or high numbers of parent waivers to state testing officials. The major improvement for San Diego elementary schools came in the additional number of sites that achieved index scores at or above 800.

Thirteen middle/junior high schools received a 2000 API score at or above 657, the point set to represent an average performing middle school/junior high for 2000, and 10 had scores below. In 1999, 11 middle/junior highs were at or above the average index score of 633, and 11 were below the index score. Two middle schools did not receive 2000 scores from the state.

Nine high schools received a 2000 API score at or above 636, the point set to represent an average performing high school for 2000, and nine had scores below. In 1999, eight high schools were at or above the average index score of 620 and 12 were below the index score. One high school did not receive a 2000 score from the state.

Using the index scores, the state ranks all schools statewide from 1 to 10 in ten groups of equal size, with 1 being the lowest and 10 the highest, showing how the schools ranked in relation to all other schools statewide with the same grade levels.

API scores and rankings were issued for schools statewide by the state education department. The latest scores are based on spring 2000 results of the SAT 9 taken by the majority of public school students in California. Schools today were also given new API growth performance targets to meet in 2001. Each school statewide is expected to improve its API score by a certain number of points—the annual performance target—until it reaches the goal of at least 800. While the program is now based solely on the SAT 9 exam, the API in future years will include additional academic measurements that will be more closely tied to the subject standards that the state wants students to master.

Schools that meet all of their API growth performance targets each year are eligible for cash performance awards from the state. In September 2000, 97 schools in San Diego Unified qualified for cash awards for the 1999-2000 school year because they met or exceeded all of their targets, which measure improvements for all students at a school as well as for students in significant ethnic/racial subgroups at the school. The state is expected to send the cash awards to schools and individual teachers during the next several months following a final review of data from districts statewide.

Questions about the 2000 API data may be directed to Sally Bennett (619-725-7190) or Sharon Jope (619-725-7190) in the Standards, Assessment and Accountability Department at San Diego City Schools.

Editor's Note: Please find three attachments with this press release:

Attachment 1 - Summary chart of API 2000 Index Scores data for San Diego City Schools.

Attachment 2 - Summary description of API 2000 Index Scores data for San Diego City Schools.

Attachment 3 - API 2000 Index Scores summary for individual schools as computed by the State Department of Education. Elementary • Middle • High