Student Performance Marks Future Strides

The California Department of Education recently released the first year’s results of new online tests designed to gauge students’ progress in learning new, more rigorous standards, setting a baseline to mark future strides toward preparing them for careers and college. The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) results measure student skills in English language arts and mathematics, based on new tests that shift focus away from traditional, multiple choice exams and toward a greater emphasis on problem-solving skills, performance tasks and critical thinking. “Education is undergoing a huge transformation,” CJUSD Superintendent Jerry Almendarez said. “Our Board of Education and district administration are extremely proud of the work of our teachers and students to adapt to such a monumental change.” Because both the academic standards being tested and the exams themselves are dramatically different from the previous Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) system, this year’s results represent a starting point and should not be compared to predecessors. Also, in many cases, new textbooks and materials reflecting the standards are still being developed. The Colton Joint Unified School District began last year to leverage funds through its Local Control and Accountability Plan toward increasing student performance and preparing them for the new exams. The district hired two teachers on assignment to help colleagues integrate technology into classrooms. It implemented the use of software designed to help teachers analyze student performance and tailor instruction to meet their needs. It runs extensive training for teachers in the new Common Core State Standards and restored its summer school program, which was suspended during the recession. It also implemented a Positive Behavior and Support system that rewards and encouraging positive character traits. Career pathway programs at CJUSD high schools introduce students to professionals in specific career fields and link skills needed for their jobs to academic lessons learned in class. These are the first set of reported results under the Common Core State Standards in math and English. The STAR tests were suspended two years ago in preparation for the new standards. CAASPP reflects testing of students in Grades 3-8, as well as Grade 11, in both math and English language arts. In CJUSD, 33 percent of all students met or exceeded standards in English Language Arts/Literacy and 19 percent met or exceeded standards in Mathematics. “With a talented and dedicated staff and students, involved parents and supportive community, I look forward to our future progress and continuing to help our students take on the 21st Century,” Almendarez said.