Schools

Most Novato Schools Lose Ground on Test Performance in 2013

Local scores reflect statewide drop; Novato Charter and Rancho Elementary schools with highest scores





Novato Charter, Olive Elementary and San Ramon Elementary were among the few schools in Novato to post gains on student test performance last year, according to numbers released Thursday.

Olive Elementary increased seven points from the 2012 Base Academic Performance Index of 850 to 857. Novato Charter increased by two points to 943, while San Ramon Elementary inched up by just point to 878.

All other schools dropped in points and two—San Marin High School and Nova Academy— did not meet the state’s required threshold. 

The API is a score ranging from 200 to 1,000 that measures how well students do on a variety of tests, including the California Standards Test and the state’s high school exit exam. California has set 800 as the API target for all schools to meet.

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Statewide, the number of California schools meeting the state target for student performance on standardized tests dropped by 2 percent. California Schools Superintendent Tom Torlakson attributed the decline to the transition to Common Core Standards which all schools must implement by 2015.

"As you would expect for a school system in transition, results varied from grade to grade, subject to subject, and school to school, but the big picture is one of remarkable resilience despite the challenges," Torlakson said.

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"While we all want to see California's progress continue, these results show that in the midst of change and uncertainty, teachers and schools kept their focus on students and learning. That's a testament to the depth of their commitment to their students and the future of our state."

In 2013, 51 percent of the state’s schools earned an Academic Performance Index score of 800 or above, compared to 53 percent the previous year.

Based on this year’s test scores, 56 percent of elementary schools, 50 percent of middle schools, and 31 percent of high schools are now at or above the 800 mark.

In the last decade, the number of schools meeting the target of an 800 API has increased by 30 percent.


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