Willow Glen Resident
Education
Willow Glen schools' API scores show significant gains for 2006
By Eli Segall
Willow Glen schools are riding high with the Aug. 31 announcement of statewide Academic Performance Index scores.
Most schools in Willow Glen improved from the prior year, except Schallenberger Elementary School, which repeated its previous high score of 811, 11 points above the state performance target. Only Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary dropped from 786 to 783, a modest 3 points.
"We had a mandatory celebration," joked Janice Hubbs, principal of Gardner Academy, whose school jumped 60 points, the best improvement in Willow Glen. The second biggest jump, 36 points, was made by Canoas Elementary School, and three schools--River Glen Elementary, Willow Glen Elementary and Willow Glen Middle School--increased by more than 20.
Each school in Willow Glen also surpassed its expected growth target, some by significant amounts; Willow Glen Middle School had a growth target of 6 points, yet improved by 24 points. All the schools are required by the state to meet a certain growth target, which is 5 percent of the difference between a school's API score and the state's benchmark of 800.
"We're very pleased with the growth," said San Jose Unified School DistrictSuperintendent Don Iglesias.
Iglesias noted Willow Glen Middle School attained the sixth-best growth for any middle school in the district, while Willow Glen High School ranked 14th in growth among district high schools.
Willow Glen Middle School Principal John Tavella credited the improvement with a mandated state program designed for schools performing below par.
"In the last four years our API score has gone up 99 points, but in '04-'05, we flat-out bombed," said Tavella.
The school's API score increased 29 points in 2002-03 and 34 points the following year, but in 2004-05, instead of continuing its upward trend, the school registered an API drop of minus one.
Last year the school was put on SAIT, the State Assistance and Intervention Team program. SAIT tackles underperforming schools with nine essential program components.
The nine-point program includes: intensive instruction and regular progress reports for struggling students; biweekly teacher collaboration meetings; enhanced training for teachers and administrators; and increased funding for textbooks and supplies.
Tavella said most California schools are heading toward this type of program.
Like Willow Glen Middle, Gardner Academy also turned its test schools around.
Gardner Academy was struggling with persistently low test scores. In 2004-05 Gardner Academy was transformed into a professional development program run by the San Jose Unified School District.
Before the 2005-06 school year, the school was put on SAIT to help institute higher standards of achievement and increase the oversight of students and teachers.
Hubbs attributes its success to improved teaching methods and the school's positive environment, much of it thanks to SAIT.
Canoas Elementary School Principal Carol Garcia said her school identified struggling students, carried out monthly performance-based assessments, and helped students and classes set and achieve goals.
"We can't wait until the end of the year to evaluate students," said Garcia. "It must be an ongoing process."
Equally important was recognizing students' success and hard work. The school has daily, weekly and monthly acknowledgments of its students' achievements.
"Sometimes we forget to tell students how great they are, and just wait for standardized scores to come out," Garcia said.
The API was created in 1999 as part of California's Public Schools Accountability Act. It measures the academic performance and growth of schools on a scale of 200 to 1000.
