Testing scores released; first YHS exit-exam results

Sierra Star

SACRAMENTO — The state Department of Education released the results of the 2001 Standardized Testing and Reporting [STAR] program on Wednesday morning.

Yosemite High School’s first exit-exam result was also released the same day.

The Stanford 9 test, for the fourth year, was administered to California students, second through 11th grades, this past spring. They were tested in reading, mathematics, written expression and spelling. Administrators in local school districts were still evaluating the myriad of scores Wednesday and could not make comments until they had completed their studies. Generally, however, Mountain Area students scored higher than the state average in most subjects.

“In reading, scores in the lower grades, where statewide reforms have been focused, have risen the most in the last three years,” says Delaine Eastin, state superintendent of public instruction. “As we expected, students who have entered California’s educational system since standards-based reforms have been adopted are doing better,” she says. “Students in our middle and high schools are moving upward, too, but at a slower pace. It is clear that reform at these grade levels is our next big challenge.”

For the first time, results of the California Standards Tests in English-language arts, taken in conjunction with the Stanford 9 test, are being reported. Each student receives a score for his performance on the test, ranging from “advanced” at the high end, through “proficient,” “basic,” “below basic,” to “far below basic” at the bottom. The state has established a “proficient” score as its goal for all students, a score that only 30% of students in the state have achieved in language arts, says Ms. Eastin. In 2002 the mathematics, history-social science and science scores will also be reported. Those scores will eventually become a part of the baseline for the Academic Performance Index [API], California’s index of school achievement, says Ms. Eastin.

California students in fourth and seventh grades were also tested with a new writing assessment. The initial results show that California students have difficulty with challenging standards-based writing tasks and that much work is needed if students are to express themselves effectively, says Ms. Eastin.

California is, little by little, adding its own standard questions to the off-the-shelf Stanford 9 test, and they may, at some time, replace the national test for evaluating student performance, explains Randy Haggard, vice principal at Yosemite High School.

Also, results were just released for the YHS exit exam that was given to ninth-graders in March. This is the initial exam for the new requirement that all YHS students must pass an exit exam in order to graduate. The exam, a mandatory test in the future, was given only to freshman and on a volunteer basis. The passing rate was 62% says Mr. Haggard, obviously pleased with the results, since in the future only sophomores, juniors and seniors will be taking the test. “We have grown in competency in English-language arts and math,” he says. The passing rate for English -language arts was 86%, and 58% passed the math test, which included algebra. It was quite an accomplishment for freshmen, indicates Mr. Haggard. Those — this year’s sophomores — who did not pass the test as freshmen, or who did not take the test will have another opportunity in 2002, and each year until they graduate. The test will no longer be offered to freshmen. Current juniors and seniors are exempt from the exit test.