Pleasant Valley schools continue to post high API scores
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

Seven of 13 Pleasant Valley schools were ranked in the state's top 20 percent of scores attained, according to a California Department of Education report released Tuesday.

The 2006 Academic Performance Index (API) uses test scores from last spring to rank schools on two levels- how they compare statewide and to schools with similar demographics.

The state assigns each school a rating on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 representing the top 10 percent of scores in the state and 1 the bottom 10 percent.

When compared to schools statewide, two Pleasant Valley schools scored 10: Santa Rosa Technology Magnet and Las Colinas Middle School.

Four schools- Monte Vista Middle and Camarillo Heights, La Mariposa and Tierra Linda elementary schools- were each ranked at 9. All 13 Pleasant Valley schools ranked 6 or better.

But when compared with schools of similar demographics, only one school in the district ranked higher than 8- Las Posas Elementary came in at 9. Most Pleasant Valley schools ranked 6, but seven schools scored 5 or lower.

"I was very pleased with the statewide ranking of our schools," Assistant Superintendent Barbara Davis said, noting that half of the schools earned a 9 or 10 ranking.

But some schools slipped in rank when compared with similar schools and Davis said that administrators will be analyzing the reasons why.

"And that's where we need to be focusing next year, as we always do," Davis said.

The report also measured how students performed on 2006 state testing and established an academic baseline for comparing 2007 test results and measuring progress.

Schools are given an API score that ranges from 200 to 1,000 points. The goal for all California schools is 800.

At 894, Santa Rosa posted Pleasant Valley's highest API score.

"We're definitely on the road back to 900," said Santa Rosa Principal Thomas Holtke.

The school has been caught up in the district's recent plan of closing campuses and consolidating schools programs, however, and will lose grades six and seven in the fall.

Along with a statewide comparison ranking of 10, Las Colinas Middle School also posted an API of 864, the district's fourth highest score.

"It is a schoolwide kind of effort," Principal Pat FitzGerald said. "What we try to do is focus on improving student performance . . raising the API score is just one of the side reasons."

Ten of 13 Pleasant Valley schools met or exceeded the state's API goal of 800. The remaining three- Los Altos Middle, University Preparation and El Descanso Elementary- posted scores of 743, 784 and 788 respectively.

Countywide, schools are improving. Nine schools, two more than in 2006, received a rank of 10 when compared to schools statewide and a 10 when compared to those with similar student populations. And 81 county schools, or 40 percent, had an API score of 800 or better, up from 33 percent last year.

Local schools are keeping pace with most schools across the state in making academic gains.

The percentage of elementary, middle and high schools reaching or exceeding the 800 API target is up two to three points over last year's figures.