Modesto school sees rise in API after extra attention

By Michelle Hatfield
mhatfield@modbee.com

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For 30 minutes each morning, students at Burbank Elementary School form small groups for extra help.

Students scoring proficient or higher on tests remain with their teacher while students at lower levels spend time with reading specialists and an English language coach in other classrooms.

The individualized attention has translated into higher test scores.

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At A Glance

The state Department of Education on Tuesday released three sets of accountability measures for public schools:

• API — Academic Performance Index: Reflects whether California's schools are improving each year toward an achievement goal

• AYP — Adequate Yearly Progress: Tracks whether schools and their minority, poor and special education students are meeting federal benchmarks under the No Child Left Behind Act

• PI — Program Improvement: A federal watch list that schools land on if they are failing to meet AYP goals. Schools on the list for several years face sanctions.
Nearly 70 schools in county on watch list
School program improvement status for 2009-2010
See how your school fared: 2009-2010 API/AYP
PDF: How Stanislaus County schools fared
Michelle Hatfield's ExtraCredit Blog

The west Modesto school earned a 725 on the state's Academic Performance Index, a key measure of academic achievement released Tuesday.

Climbing 137 points since 2000, the 640-student school is close to reaching the state goal of an API score of 800 or higher.

"We're focusing on each student — which standards are they struggling with and what are they missing," Burbank Principal Pamela Corbett said.

Nearly one-third of Stanislaus County public schools are at or above the API goal of 800. That is lower than the statewide average of 42 percent of schools reaching that target.

The API was one of two measures released Tuesday. The other, Adequate Yearly Progress, is the federal accountability system that measures school improvement.

The API is based on state tests taken each spring. Schools earn a score of 200 to 1,000. The API is based on results from the Standardized Testing and Reporting Program and from the California High School Exit Examination.

Last year, 21.5 percent of county schools reached the API benchmark of 800 or higher. In 2000, only 3 percent of county schools met that target.

Most educators were pleased by the progress schools are making.

"All arrows are going where we want instead of just a few arrows," said Pat Portwood, Modesto City Schools associate superintendent of instruction.

This year's API scores show large gains for many county schools. Denair Elementary had one of the largest compared with last year — gaining 62 points, from 744 to 806. Mary Lou Dieterich Elementary in north Modesto jumped 59 points, from 778 to 837.

But there are more than a dozen county schools that rank below 700.

API scores can ebb and flow each year. For example, Crowell Elementary's API score gained 34 points compared with last year, but Dutcher Middle School, also in Turlock, dropped 25 points. Both schools are close to meeting the 800 mark.

"If you look at our subgroups (such as low-income students and English language learners), we're showing improvement," said Sonny Da Marto, superintendent of the Turlock Unified School District. "Do we have a long ways to go? Absolutely, but I'm glad we're not moving backwards."

The API gives schools additional credit for moving lower-performing students up the achievement scale.

Many educators praised the work of teachers, staff and students in showing improvements during a time of economic upheaval and staffing and budget cuts.

"We're working with a lot less money and a lot less support," Da Marto said, "and our staff is working harder to try and to help our students."

Bee staff writer Michelle Hatfield can be reached at mhatfield@modbee.com or 578-2339.