New state index gives schools in Saratoga the highest marks
By Leigh Ann Maze
Saratoga's public schools rank among the top 10 percent of California schools, according to the Academic Performance Index numbers released Jan. 25.
Rankings were based on student test scores on the Stanford Achievement Test, also called the SAT-9, a nationally normalized test administered annually to California public school students in grades 2 through 11. The multiple-choice test covers math, reading, language, history/social science and science.
The API ranking is new this year and was created by the Public Schools Accountability Act, which became law in April 1999. The PSAA serves three purposes: to measure and improve academic performance in California schools with the API ranking; to offer financial support to schools in need of improvement; and to reward improving and high-ranking schools.
Some 7,000 public elementary, middle and high schools in California were given an API number between 200 and 1,000, with a statewide performance target of 800. All Saratoga public schools ranked above 800, with Argonaut at 927, Foothill at 920, Saratoga at 913, Redwood Middle School at 927 and Saratoga High School at 862. California schools with a score below 800 were given a growth target for next year. School at 800 or above, like Saratoga schools, are expected to maintain an API above 800.
Each school was also given a statewide rank of one through 10 based on API numbers. All Saratoga schools received the top rank of 10.
"We're delighted that our schools rank in top 10 percent of schools statewide, and that our schools have met that 800 target," said Cynthia Ranii, Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District superintendent.
Schools were also ranked with a score of one through 10 against other schools with similar demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. When compared to similar top-ranking schools in the state, all Saratoga public schools once again received a top score of 10.
"We're in the top 10 of the top 10," said Mary Gardner, Saratoga Union School District superintendent. "We're performing very strong, and that's good news to us."
Ranii said she is happy to see public schools being held accountable for how successfully they are using taxpayer money to educate children, but she believes the API ranking has its weaknesses.
"Single numbers from a single test taken on a single day always have to be interpreted with caution," Ranii said. "A more dependable rating system would have more criteria and the state recognizes that."
During the next few years, the state is expected to incorporate more criteria into the API ranking, possibly including factors such as school attendance, teacher's credentials and graduation rates.
"Currently, the API is a limited piece of information, and I think we're putting too much weight on it," Gardner said.
Ranii and Gardner also noted that there is a large discrepancy between state-adopted education standards and what the SAT-9 tests measure, although they are working each year to more closely align the two. "Fortunately, our district has very strong students who did very well despite the lack of harmony between the standards and the test," Ranii said.
Ranii expects that, at the high-school level, colleges may soon use API numbers to gauge the academic performance of individual students and schools. "Colleges could use API numbers to validate or question a school's reputation like they do now with SAT scores," Ranii said.
While schools with an API below 800 and those that improve their performance are eligible to receive state funding, schools that continue to fall below their targets may be subject to state sanctions. High-ranking schools, such as Saratoga's, may also be financially rewarded, although it is unclear what criteria top schools need to meet to receive such rewards. Gardner is concerned that it will be difficult for SUSD schools to receive any of these funds because it will be difficult to show marked improvements when they are already ranked at the top.
"Regardless of what happens with state rewards, we intend to celebrate," Gardner said. "Parents, teachers and students should all know that they contributed to our doing well on the API."
API results are available to the public on the California Department of Education website at www.cde.ca.gov/psaa.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
