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Speak Out
Willow Glen High is constantly improving
This letter is in regard to recent articles and letters in The Willow Glen Resident concerning the allocation of desegregation funds to San Jose Unified School District Schools in Willow Glen.
As this discussion continues, I believe it is appropriate for me to review a portion of the accomplishments of Willow Glen High School students, and to note that all categories of students have achieved at significantly higher levels during the past three years. Some statements made in the press, and in other discussions, could lead you to believe something different from what data shows about the success of WGHS students.
First, all targets established by the state were exceeded in the Academic Performance Index as reported this fall for all groups of WGHS students. These groups included various ethnic groups as well as socioeconomically disadvantaged students. One of the facts of the API of which I am most proud is that we narrowed the achievement gap between white students and the other significant subgroups. White students exceeded their target while Hispanic and disadvantaged students exceeded their targets at a greater level. This is a focus for all schools in the United States and was accomplished by continuing to develop, implement and measure the success of specific programs for all groups of students.
Second, all seniors must successfully complete a course in government to graduate. At WGHS, a student may accomplish this by taking either college prep or Advanced Placement government. In addition to high school credit, AP government leads students to receive college credits if they pass the required test at the end of the year. It is each student's choice which class he or she takes. This year at WGHS we have more seniors in AP government than in regular college prep government. The student population in these classes represents the ethnic diversity of the school.
Third, the number of WGHS students taking the SAT for college acceptance has increased by 190 percent in the past three years. The availability of SAT preparation classes and a revived college and career center on campus are a part of the reason for this extraordinary increase.
Finally, the rate for WGHS English Language Learner students to be redesignated from "Limited English Proficient" increased by more than 500 percent during the past three years. Last year's rate was approximately 70 percent higher than the state average.
The successes stated above were possible by the WGHS staff, students and community having a shared version: that all students demonstrate continual improvement in academic achievement. As the dialogue continues concerning the allocation of desegregation funds, be assured that the staff of WGHS will continue to work diligently to assist all of our students to reach higher levels of academic success.
Patrick Day
Principal, Willow Glen High School
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
