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API/AYP
The Academic Performance Index (API) shows a school or district’s improvement of test scores from one year of testing to the next. This API index produces scores that range from 200 to 1000. The API is reported two times each year: March (Base API) and August (Growth API). Both the Base API and the Growth API use the same criteria in their calculations but they use a different year of testing in order to determine growth. The state goal for every school or district is to attain an API value of at least 800. The assessments included in the API calculations include: STAR (State Testing and Reporting Program), CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) and CAPA (California Alternate Performance Assessment for students with severe cognitive disabilities).
State website address is: www.cde.ca.gov/apr/.
The Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) report is required by the federal government under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) legislation. Each year schools and districts must meet four sets of requirements in order to meet AYP. Unlike California’s API growth model, the federal model is made up of specific academic targets in English and mathematics that districts, schools, and ethnic subgroups must meet each year until 2014 when 100% of all students must score proficient or advanced on specified assessments that depend on different grade spans. These assessments include: STAR (grades 2-8); CAHSEE (grade 10) and CAPA (grade 10 students with disabilities).
Website address is: www.cde.ca.gov/apr/
STAR
The State Testing and Reporting program (STAR) was established by the state legislature in 1997. The STAR program holds schools and districts accountable for student achievement based on the K-12 California Content Standards. All students in grades 2-11 participate in the STAR program. Depending on the grade level, students take tests in English Language Arts, mathematics, history and science. For Grade 11 students, the STAR program also includes a college readiness reporting for English Language Arts and Mathematics under the program name “Early Assessment Program”. Both reports are included below.
See our most recent STAR scores under the heading: “District Results”.
Website address: http://star.cde.ca.gov/star2011
CAHSEE
The California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) is made up of two content areas: English Language Arts (which includes both a multiple choice section along with a written essay) and mathematics. Students must pass both sections of this test in order to receive a high school diploma. Therefore every student must meet all high school credit and course requirements along with passing both sections of the CAHSEE in order to receive a high school diploma. Students with Disabilities and 504 Plans have alternate methods available to them through a Local Waiver and State Exemption programs. These programs are discussed more fully on the state website under the Testing and Accountability section.
State website: http://cahsee.cde.ca.gov/
Advanced Placement
The College Board Advanced Placement program enables high school students to pursue college level studies while still in high school. By taking an AP course the student also indicates to a potential college that they have pursued the most rigorous academic courses available while still in high school. Each AP course is modeled on a comparable college course and the exams are scored by college and university faculty.
College Board website: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com
SAT Exams
The College Board SAT program is an access gateway for all college bound students to showcase their academic knowledge, skills and potential for college success. The SAT Reasoning Test is comprised of three parts: Mathematics, Critical Reading and Writing (a written essay). Each section is scored from 200 to 800 points. The highest score possible on the SAT is 2400 points.
College Board SAT website: http://www.collegeboard.org/
Physical Fitness Test
The Physical Fitness Test is a state mandated test given each spring to students in grades 5, 7 and 9 using the program, FITNESSGRAM. There are six (6) separate tests and students must pass five of the six tests. To pass each test, a student must meet each “Healthy Fitness Zone”. Per local board policy: Students in grade 9 who do not meet the minimum passing score of 5 out of 6 physical fitness standards are required to take a P.E. course in 10th grade.
State website results are found at: http://dq/cde/ca/gov/dataquest/
