State test scores gained for the fifth straight year for students in the San Diego Unified School District, according to results released today by the state Department of Education, with San Diego Unified now having the highest English Language Arts scores of any large urban district in California.
Across-the-board increases were seen in the four subjects tested: English language arts, mathematics, science, and history/social sciences, as more students now have knowledge rated "proficient" or "advanced," the top two rankings in the California Standards Test. Overall, students testing proficient or advanced on the test increased by: English, 3 points over 2010 and 14 points since 2007; mathematics up 2 points from last year and 12 since 2007. California's standard for students is that they have a proficient or advanced knowledge of the subject (the other levels are basic, below basic and far below basic).
"All of us in San Diego and in California owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our school communities," said Richard Barrera, president of the San Diego Unified Board of Education. "Facing the worst financial crisis to ever hit public education, our teachers, principals, support staff, parents and students continue to keep their focus and make clear, steady progress in educating California's next generation.
"Now it's up to the rest of us to pull together and do our part to support public education and the heroes in our local school communities."
Superintendent Bill Kowba also lauded the effort.
"I congratulate all of our students, teachers and staff for this outstanding result," said Kowba. "This continued progress comes despite some of the most trying times in the long history of our district, as the budget has had significant cuts each of these years."
San Diego Unified overtook San Francisco Unified for the top spot in English Language Arts proficiency, with 59 percent of students showing proficient or advanced knowledge of the subject. Last year, San Diego and San Francisco tied at 56.
Other large-district scores include: Los Angeles, 44 percent; Fresno, 39 percent, and Sacramento, 49 percent.
These test scores are closely watched as a barometer of the achievement gap -- the difference in test scores between ethnic groups. There was a narrowing of the gap in English language arts, as Hispanic students showed a 16 percent gain and African Americans rose 13 percent since 2007, outpacing the 12 point rise shown by White students. Still, students testing proficient or advanced numbered 44 percent for Hispanics and 46 percent for African Americans, well behind the White score of 81 percent.
"Our efforts continue to bring student achievement up for all ethnic groups, especially Hispanics and African-Americans," said Dr. Nellie Meyer, Deputy Superintendent for Academics. "We continue to work not only with our teachers and staff, but the San Diego community to find local solutions to this national problem."
Individual schools showed significant increases in English language arts over 2010. Among elementary schools, Marvin Elementary had the largest jump, with 80.6 percent of the students now proficient or advanced, up from 65.6 in 2010. Roosevelt Middle increased to 55.9 from 47.6; and San Diego High School of the Arts to 34.7 from 23.5.
Statewide, San Diego Unified was also near the top of the list of largest districts in other tested areas. In mathematics, San Diego's 51 percent proficient or advanced was topped only by Garden Grove with 60 and San Francisco with 56. Other districts' scores include: Sacramento, 49; Los Angeles, 43; Oakland, 45; and San Bernardino, 38.
Overall science scores (combined grades 5, 8 and 10 science tests required by the No Child Left Behind Act) put San Diego Unified at 61 percent proficient or advanced, tied with San Francisco. Garden Grove topped the list with 64 percent. A sampling of other districts' scores: Los Angeles, 46 percent, Fresno and San Bernardino, 40 percent; and Sacramento, 48 percent.
For more details on the scores and tests, go the California Department of Education website at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/.
Monday, August 15, 2011
IN THE NEWS: McGraw-Hill Education and Wells Fargo Announce Donations to Support San Diego School Art Programs
Students at the San Diego High School of the Arts will have access to world-renowned museums and the school will have additional funding to support art instruction thanks to a donation, which will be made by McGraw-Hill Education and Wells Fargo on Aug. 13, at ABC10's Southern California School Expo. The donation of McGraw-Hill in-kind services will be matched by Wells Fargo with a $5,000 donation, which will be used to support core instruction at the school as well as afterschool programs. Read more from company press release»
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Dropout Rate Reduced at San Diego Unified
California Urban District Dropout Rates 2009-10 | |
| District | Rate |
| San Francisco | 10.7 |
| San Diego Unified | 12.8 |
| Long Beach | 14.1 |
| Garden Grove | 14.4 |
| Fresno | 20.1 |
| Sacramento | 24.0 |
| Los Angeles | 26.1 |
| San Bernardino | 33.7 |
| Oakland | 37.0 |
According to the figures, 12.8 percent of San Diego Unified students left high school without a diploma in the 2009-10 school year, under the new reporting system adopted by the state this year. The graduation rate of students in that class was 74.9 percent.
"Ensuring that students graduate is one of the key focuses of our district," said Dr. Nellie Meyer, Deputy Superintendent for Academics. "While we are encouraged by these statistics, it reminds us we must redouble our effort to ensure that all our students graduate."
For four years, reducing the dropout rate has been one of the district's top priorities. The effort has focused not just on high school seniors, but as early as sixth grade, where studies show that students who miss more than 10 days of school have a higher dropout rate. Behavior in middle and high school students, as well as their academic performance, are also monitored, with some struggling teens repeating grades or placed in special programs.
"Even in these tough budget times, we have to remember that it is a tragedy to lose even one student," said Dr. Meyer. "These aren't just numbers, they're our future citizens."
Meyer also noted this is a problem throughout California, particularly with certain ethnic groups, such as Hispanics, with 11.1 percent rate in San Diego Unified, and African American, with 8.6 percent of students failing to receive a district diploma.
Statewide, San Diego Unified's dropout rate placed second-lowest among the largest districts at 12.8 percent, behind only San Francisco's 10.7 percent. Other large districts include: Los Angeles, 26.1 percent; Long Beach, 14.1; and Sacramento, 24.1. San Diego Unified's "cohort rate" -- students in ninth grade who graduated -- was fourth with 74.9 percent, behind: San Francisco, 82.3; Garden Grove, 81.9; and Long Beach, 78.8. Other districts with lower results include: Los Angeles, 64.2; Sacramento, 65.3; and Oakland, 54.3.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
IN THE NEWS: UC High Students Honored for Historic Project
Her project was, “A Pictorial History of the San Diego Portuguese Festa Queens: 100 Years in the Making.” Read more from the La Jolla Light»
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
IN THE NEWS: La Jolla High student named to math Olympiad team
La Jolla High School junior Sarah Herrmann is one of eight girls from throughout the United States to participate in the 2011 China Girls Mathematical Olympiad (CGMO).
The competition began July 31 and runs through Aug. 3 in Shenzhen, a major port city near Hong Kong in Southern China’s Guangdong Province. Read more from the La Jolla Light»
The competition began July 31 and runs through Aug. 3 in Shenzhen, a major port city near Hong Kong in Southern China’s Guangdong Province. Read more from the La Jolla Light»
Monday, August 8, 2011
IN THE NEWS: Council approves joint-use park in Serra Mesa
A $3.1 million joint-use park is set to be built at a 54-year-old Serra Mesa elementary school after the City Council approved the final portion of funding. The park will be built on top of what is now a dirt and gravel lot on the Harry M. Wegeforth Elementary School campus. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.»
Friday, August 5, 2011
IN THE NEWS: The Who’s Tommy Is Selling Out
The new production of The Who's Tommy, the Tony Award-winning stage version of the classic rock album, is a certified hit. The intergenerational hit opened the San Diego Rep’s 36th season, their second co-production with the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA). The singers, dancers and musicians from SCPA join a stellar cast of professional actors and singers, led by local two time Grammy-nominated singer B. Slade in the title role. Read more from the San Diego Reader»
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