LAKE COUNTY–The State recently released the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) test results. The state groups the results into four distinct categories which include Standards Not Met, Standard Nearly Met, Standard Met and Standard Exceeded. The test is given to grades three through eight and grade eleven. All results were rounded to the nearest whole number.
Kelseyville Unified School District (KVUSD)
The percentage of students tested that nearly met, met or exceeded standards in English language arts are as follows: 62% in grade three, 64% in grade four, 57% in grade five, 71% in grade six, 52% in grade seven, 53% in grade eight and 74% in grade eleven.
The percentage of students tested that nearly met, met or exceeded standards in mathematics are as follows: 54% in grade three, 74% in grade four, 49% in grade five, 55% in grade six, 43% in grade seven, 42% in grade eight and 35% in grade eleven.
Overall, KVUSD has seen an increase in English language arts and a slight decrease in mathematics scores this year. Both Mountain Vista Middle and Kelseyville Elementary made solid gains in English language arts. Kelseyville Elementary and Kelseyville High made slight gains in mathematics scores.
Dave McQueen, Superintendent of Kelseyville Unified School District, said that the overall scores in English language arts was up 3.4% from last year. McQueen added that Kelseyville Elementary School met all requirements with a gain in both English language arts and mathematics. He said that each site will be generating their own plan based on their particular school climate. The high school, for example, will begin using graphing calculators in order to foster more critical thinking skills. The elementary grades will be using new software which will support and enhance the curriculum. More teacher training will take place with an emphasis placed on mathematics.
Professional Learning Communities (PLC) have been formed and more collaboration time will be provided. Teachers will use data to track student progress using special programs. McQueen also said that grades K-8 use evaluation testing which has proven to increase student learning and test scores. “There is a tremendous support system and all teachers are continuously being trained.”
Konocti Unified School District (KUSD)
The percentage of students tested that nearly met, met or exceeded standards in English language arts are as follows: 45% in grade three, 39% in grade four, 39% in grade five, 51% in grade six, 56% in grade seven, 61% in grade eight and 64% in grade eleven.
The percentage of students tested that nearly met, met or exceeded standards in mathematics are as follows: 44% in grade three, 44% in grade four, 31% in grade five, 37% in grade six, 44% in grade seven, 36% in grade eight and 26% in grade eleven.
Overall, KUSD has seen an increase in both English and mathematics scores this year. Lower Lake Elementary and Burns Valley made solid gains in mathematics and Konocti Education Center made the greatest gains in English language arts.
Becky Salato, Superintendent of Konocti Unified Schools, said that her district likes to celebrate the small wins, which are many. Although she feels that the test scores are not what is most important, students will be given ample time to practice the CAASSP using the CAASSP website.
“We are building basic skills and filling in the missing pieces,” she said. Salato noted that the district provides district-wide professional learning time where best practices are discussed as well as collaboration days where teachers can share and learn from one another. All staff are taught to look for actual evidence of learning and instructional coaches assist with this process.
“Our goal is to see that all of our students make well over a year’s gain through collaboration and strategic planning,” she said. “We will know this by looking at the evidence of learning and performance”. She also noted that “Test scores don’t drive us, student learning drives us. If we address the needs of the student, change will be created.”
Teresa Rensch, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, agreed with Salato and added, “We know how well we’re doing based on how the kids are doing and feeling.”
Lakeport Unified School District (LUSD)
The percentage of students tested that nearly met, met or exceeded standards in English language arts are as follows: 43% in grade three, 57% in grade four, 63% in grade five, 40% in grade six, 59% in grade seven, 63% in grade eight and 60% in grade eleven.
The percentage of students tested that nearly met, met or exceeded standards in English language arts are as follows: 51% in grade three, 74% in grade four, 59% in grade five, 50% in grade six, 55% in grade seven, 42% in grade eight and 42% in grade eleven.
Overall, LUSD has seen a decrease in both English language arts and mathematics scores.
Jill Falconer, Superintendent of LUSD, said that last year was “tumultuous” and there was an apparent lack of focus. This year, she said the atmosphere is much calmer and the team of teachers, classified employees and administration are working well together with the common goal of increasing student achievement and ensuring each student becomes a life-long learner. Falconer adds that LUSD has implemented interim assessments with the focus on writing district-wide. Furthermore, the focus on writing is important because the test contains a writing component in both English language arts and mathematics. She said that an emphasis on writing will not only improve test scores, but will also increase student learning and better prepare students for college and career.
Lucerne Elementary School
The percentage of students tested that nearly met, met or exceeded standards in English language arts are as follows: 72% in grade three, 62% in grade four, 56% in grade five, 47% in grade six, 57% in grade seven and 62% in grade eight.
The percentage of students tested that nearly met, met or exceeded standards in mathematics are as follows: 64% in grade three, 58% in grade four, 56% in grade five, 40% in grade six, 58% in grade seven and 43% in grade eight.
Overall, Lucerne Elementary School made gains in both English language arts and mathematics.
Mike Brown, Superintendent of Lucerne Elementary, said that he and his staff will be analyzing data to determine growth over time. Individual student results will help teachers determine what the areas of focus will be for any given student. Brown believes the Advancement Via Individual Achievement (AVID) program has proven to increase student achievement. The AVID program has been implemented at each grade level at his site, which includes kindergarten through grade eight. Brown said that two “amazing” reading and math intervention programs have also been implemented. These programs are “pull-out” programs and “have certainly been a big plus for us”. Brown also said that Lucerne Elementary has “a group of amazing educators that care about kids and work their tails off”.
Middletown Unified School District (MUSD)
The percentage of students tested that nearly met, met or exceeded standards in English language arts are as follows: 81% in grade three, 70% in grade four, 78% in grade five, 88% in grade six, 75% in grade seven, 75% in grade eight and 84% in grade eleven.
The percentage of students tested that nearly met, met or exceeded standards in mathematics are as follows: 86% in grade three, 84% in grade four, 67% in grade five, 80% in grade six, 72% in grade seven, 53% in grade eight and 43% in grade eleven.
Overall, MUSD indicated slight gains in both English language arts and mathematics. Coyote Valley Elementary and Middletown High made gains in both English language arts and mathematics. Minnie Canyon Elementary made the greatest gains in both English language arts and mathematics. Cobb Mountain Elementary scores indicated gains in mathematics.
David Miller, Interim Superintendent of MUSD said, “At Middletown Unified School District, we are always working to improve on our performance in the classroom as well as to be good citizens and productive members of society. As a school staff we have identified our academic weaknesses through the use of interim assessments and have targeted strategies we are using across the curriculum to address our weaknesses. At our high school we have added a third year of math as a graduation requirement as another means to help improve our deficiencies in math, not only will it provide more direct instruction, but it will also prevent there being almost a year-long gap between a student’s second year of math and the standardized test. Our core belief is that a well-rounded education, with a data-driven approach to problem-solving, will produce students that are college, and or work-force ready”.
Upper Lake Unified School District (ULUSD)
The percentage of students tested that nearly met, met or exceeded standards in English language arts are as follows: 81% in grade three. 68% in grade four, 61% in grade five, 64% in grade six, 34% in grade seven, 50% in grade eight and 43% in grade eleven.
The percentage of students tested that nearly met, met or exceeded standards in mathematics are as follows: 84% in grade three, 75% in grade four, 62% in grade five, 48% in grade six, 32% in grade seven, 34% in grade eight and 16% in grade eleven.
Overall, ULUSD made slight gains in English language arts and a slight decrease in mathematics. Upper Lake Elementary made solid gains in English language arts. Upper Lake Elementary also demonstrated an increase in mathematics scores.
Stephanie Wayment, Director of Elementary Education ULUSD says that the district is working hard at all sites to show growth on the CAASPP scores. “Our English Language Arts (ELA) and Math scores have shown growth at the Upper Lake Elementary School. We are very excited about the extra supports that are put in place at Upper Lake Middle School and the hard work that our staff has put in to provide the best, first, rigorous instruction that our students deserve. At Upper Lake High School, under the new leadership, students are continually focused on academics as one of the pillars focusing all of the work by both staff and students. The four pillars of Upper Lake High School are Academics, Arts, Athletics and Activities. Lots of opportunities for students to celebrate their success”.
“Overall ULUSD is proud of the progress that we have made and is very optimistic of the great growth in our future thanks to the dedication and hard work of our leadership at the school sites, teaching and support staff,” Wayment said.
