Comparative scores on API raise concerns with parents
Administration responds with an explanation
By Leigh Ann Maze
Parents and school administrators are trying to accurately interpret the API scores released Jan. 25. Some 10 parents attended the Los Gatos Union School District board meeting Feb. 8 with questions and concerns about the scores. LGUSD Assistant Superintendent Suzanne Sanders gave a planned presentation to explain the numbers and addressed the many questions parents raised.
"On the one hand we need to congratulate ourselves," Sanders said of the scores. "And on the other hand, we need to challenge ourselves to increase our scores and continue to find ways to improve."
The API score, a number between 200 and 1000 based on student performance on the SAT-9 test, was calculated for some 7,000 California public schools. All schools in the LGUSD scored between 841 and 873, well above the state-appointed goal of 800.
Several parents, however, were concerned that schools in nearby districts, including Palo Alto, Cupertino and Saratoga, received API scores in the 900 range. "We did well compared to the state, but we are not where we should be," said Christine Nichols, whose children attend LGUSD schools and who is active in the district. "I think we can do a better job, and, as a parent, I'm willing to help out."
Sanders said it is hard to specify why some school districts scored higher than others. "It's more important to ask what are we are going to do to raise the scores, rather than ask why are there differences," Sanders said.
In addition to the API numbers, each school also received a rank of 1 through 10, with all Los Gatos Schools receiving a top rank of 10. Schools were also given a comparative score of 1 through 10 against other schools with similar demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.
On the comparative scores, Daves Avenue and Van Meter each received scores of 3; Blossom Hill, a 5 and Fisher Middle School and Lexington School, each received a 6. It was the comparative scores that brought most of the parents to the school board meeting with questions. "That three was bothersome to me because I think the real test is how you compare to like schools," Nichols said.
"We don't know how accurate the comparative scores are," Sanders said, explaining that the state has not released information on how they were calculated. The comparative scores are based on data that has not been accurately collected in the past because it was not mandatory. That data includes parent's education levels and student ethnicity. According to Sanders, the LGUSD is trying to accurately collect such data to give to the state next year.
In addition to gathering more accurate socioeconomic information, Sanders said, the LGUSD is also planning to purchase new educational materials, work with teachers, design interventions for low-performing students, expand the summer school program and better prepare students for test-taking.
Throughout the discussion, many API score improvement suggestions were made, but many also cautioned against focusing too closely on a single test. "We can spend all of our time teaching to the test, but I don't think it's in our children's best interest or what the community wants us to do," said LGUSD board member Steve Glickman.
Several teachers at the meeting stressed the importance of teaching children how to take a multiple-choice test. Parent Susan Ng, who attended the meeting, suggested more parent involvement at home.
"It's all a balancing act," said Dave's Avenue principal Susan von Felten, who is planning an API parent-information meeting in March. Von Felten stressed the importance of getting children to school on time, every day. She recently sent home 59 letters to parents of children who had more than three absences this school year, and many more letters to parents whose children are chronically tardy.
"I truly believe we can accomplish both of our goals," Glickman said of the challenges facing the LGUSD. "To give our students a broad, well-rounded education and, at the same time, have that quality education reflected in our test results."
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
