EARLENE
WARD
Yosemite
Joint Union High School students, staff and administrators received
the good news this week that the district’s Academic Perfor-mance
Index increased by 69 points in 2003-03.
“This is very good news,” comments District Superintendent Bill
McCabe. “It is a tribute to the hard work of students, staff and
administrators at the school level. I am very proud of everyone
who worked hard to make this happen.”
The district API went from 678 for the 2002 base score to 747 in
2003. The state goal is for schools to reach an API of 800.
Yosemite High School’s API grew 60 points from 704 to 764. Principal
Steve Raupp is extremely pleased. The state had set a growth target
of five points for the school.
“This surpasses the previous high score of 742 we had in 2000,”
he said. “We are extremely pleased with the 2003-03 API report;
the 60-point growth is directly related to the hard work that teachers
have done to align curriculum and instruction with the California
content standards and the positive attitude that our students have
about school.”
Evergreen High School, an independent study program, saw an API
increase of 149 points from 495 to 644. Principal Roberta Tackett,
who became administrator of the alternative programs last year,
is proud of her staff and students and the dedication they bring
to school. “This is an indication of how hard the teachers and the
students work to be successful. I am very, very pleased.”
Mountain View High School, a continuation school, raised its API
76 points from 423 to 499. Principal Tom Fiormonti called the increase
“awesome.”
Foothill High School recorded a score of 545 for 2002-03. The school
did not have a 2001-02 base score for comparison. Scores were not
made available for Ahwahnee High School nor Raymond Granite High
School because of the small number of students enrolled..
Glacier High School, a new charter school in the YJUHSD, earned
at API of 809. Principal Mike Cox is very please. “This is testimony
to the students’ hard work and the families’ strong involvement,”
he says. “We also have a mighty fine teacher.” Glacier did not have
a 2002 score for comparison.
The API is the cornerstone of the statewide accountability system
for California public schools. This year marks the fourth reporting
cycle for the API which was established in 1999 as part of the Public
Schools Accountability Act (PSAA).
The results of the California Standards Tests, given as part of
the state’s Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) program were
used to calculate a school’s API along with scores from the California
High School Exit Exam.
The API provides a consistent measure for schools as new federal
accountability requirements are being introduced as part of the
No Child Left Behind legislation.
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