District scores high on state proficiency tests
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

According to state test results released last week, students in the Pleasant Valley School District outscored their county and state peers, but a school official admits they need to do more work.

The state's annual STAR, or Standardized Testing and Reporting program, tests students in grades two through 12 in language arts and mathematics and rates them by percentage in one of five categories: advanced, proficient, basic, below basic and far below basic. The results are the source of the API, or Academic Performance Index, and the Adequate Yearly Performance, state and federal reports that measure student academic growth and proficiency.

A greater percentage of Pleasant Valley students, in grades two through eight, scored at the advanced and proficient levels than did students across the county and state, STAR results showed.

"I think overall the district continues to excel in terms of instruction," said Luis Villegas, interim superintendent. "It's a good sign."

Villegas said they must focus, however, on helping students in subgroups, or specific categories, such as English learners. Fifty-six percent of eighth-grade English learners scored below basic and far below basic in language arts.

None scored at the advanced level and just 7 percent were proficient.

Villegas said to help those students, the district will continue the program of using three specialized coaches assist teachers in becoming more proficient in instructing their English language learners.

And with only three out of 68 eighth-grade English learners taking Algebra I last year- a course essential for a student to successfully graduate from high school- Villegas said the district must prepare students earlier and with a more rigorous curriculum.

Villegas said other districts across the country are facing a similar challenge.

The district's third-graders who come from economically disadvantaged households are also lagging behind in language arts. Only 12 percent are advanced and proficient in language arts, while 55 percent fall in the below basic and far below basic categories.

Assistant Superintendent Barbara Davis said school administrators across the state are also concerned about these particular test scores.

Some think there could be a problem with the test itself- it may be disproportionately more rigorous at third grade than at second grade, and teachers could be confused by having multiple versions of the test, she said.

District administrators may need to adjust testing logistics, Davis said.

And Villegas said the district will help students by helping teachers modify teaching methods to students' various learning styles, what's called "differentiated instruction."

The district has scheduled the workshop for teachers and principals on Aug. 27.