SANTA MONICA-MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
PRESS RELEASE
Remarkable Gains on API for Santa Monica-Malibu Unified
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. John E. Deasy, today announced the release of 2005 API (Academic Performance Index) and AYP (Annual Yearly Progress) data. The 2005 data show spectacular gains, with the overall district index surpassing the 800 mark for the first time since the inception of API. Dr. Deasy noted, “Our district’s growth of 19 points is remarkable for a district that continues to score well above state and county levels.”
The
API is the cornerstone of California’s Public Schools Accountability Act. Its purpose is to measure the academic
performance and growth of schools. The
numeric index ranges from a low of 200 to a high of 1000. The statewide target for all schools is
800. The API score summarizes the
results of various indicators including the California Standards Tests (CSTs),
the CAT/6 norm-referenced test, and the California High School Exit Exam.
Jack O’Connell, State Superintendent, announced, “The [state’s] outstanding API results reflect the tremendous success we celebrated earlier this month when our annual test scores showed widespread gains in nearly every subject and grade level. With data showing six years of improved student achievement we know California schools are headed in the right direction.”
The individual school sites in SMMUSD demonstrated stellar growth in API, with 11 out of 14 sites posting double-digit gains over last year. Dr. Deasy enthusiastically attributes this extraordinary achievement to the tremendous dedication and hard work of teachers and principals. “Santa Monica-Malibu’s high caliber teachers set increasingly higher expectations for all students and then go about getting the job done by focusing on refining and continuously improving their instructional practices.”
70% of the district’s schools are now scoring above the 800 mark, as compared to 32% across the state. Four SMMUSD schools – Franklin, Point Dume, Roosevelt, and Webster – scored at or above a remarkable 900. Malibu High School’s API ranks in the top 15 of high schools in the county.
All schools demonstrate consecutive years of growth and are at or near all time highs. “It is noteworthy,” Dr. Deasy remarked, “that Santa Monica High School’s API has risen 47 points over the past three years. This is an incredible achievement and reflects the power of redesign and smaller learning communities.”
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
API Results
|
School |
2002 API |
2003 API |
2004 API |
2005 API |
Growth 04-05 |
|
Cabrillo Elementary |
823 |
833 |
844 |
843 |
-1 |
|
Edison Elementary |
|
709 |
751 |
762 |
11 |
|
Franklin Elementary |
892 |
910 |
887 |
924 |
37 |
|
Grant Elementary |
801 |
833 |
844 |
852 |
8 |
|
McKinley Elementary |
817 |
828 |
813 |
855 |
42 |
|
Muir Elementary |
776 |
763 |
758 |
782 |
24 |
|
Point Dume Elementary |
862 |
896 |
907 |
921 |
14 |
|
Rogers Elementary |
756 |
775 |
754 |
772 |
18 |
|
Roosevelt Elementary |
840 |
865 |
870 |
908 |
38 |
|
Webster Elementary |
865 |
880 |
863 |
901 |
38 |
|
Adams Middle School |
748 |
736 |
765 |
767 |
2 |
|
Lincoln Middle School |
823 |
845 |
834 |
864 |
30 |
|
Malibu High School |
788 |
795 |
810 |
831 |
21 |
|
Santa Monica High |
694 |
695 |
720 |
741 |
21 |
In
addition to the remarkable growth in API, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School
District has met its AYP (Annual Yearly Progress) targets for No Child Left
Behind. Federal NCLB requirements
measure the academic success of a school or district according to how well it
meets common performance targets. This
measure of success is reported in terms of AYP criteria. A school or district must meet criteria in
four areas in order to make AYP.
- Participation
rate of 95 percent or greater for the state test results used to establish
the percentage of students at the proficient level or above
- Percentage
of students who score proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA)
and mathematics, as compared to Annual Measurable Objectives
- Growth in
the API of at least one point OR a minimum API score of 590
- A
graduation rate of at least 82.9 OR improvement in the graduation rate of
at least 0.1 OR improvement in the graduation rate average over two years
of at least 0.2
Two
schools, SMASH and Olympic, which are alternative school settings, are
evaluated under Alternative School Accountability Model. The data from this model, as well as API
data for subgroups, and comparable school rankings have yet to be released.
District and School Site AYP Accountability Reports
|
School Site |
ELA Participation |
ELA % Proficient |
Math Participation |
Math % Proficient |
API |
Graduation Rate |
|
SMMUSD District |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Cabrillo Elementary |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
N/A |
|
Edison Elementary |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
N/A |
|
Franklin Elementary |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
N/A |
|
Grant Elementary |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
N/A |
|
McKinley Elementary |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
N/A |
|
Muir Elementary |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
N/A |
|
Point Dume Elementary |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
N/A |
|
Rogers Elementary |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
N/A |
|
Roosevelt Elementary |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
N/A |
|
SMASH |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
N/A |
|
Webster Elementary |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
N/A |
|
Adams Middle School |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
N/A |
|
Lincoln Middle School |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
N/A |
|
Malibu High |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Santa Monica High |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Olympic High |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
District
level administrator, Maureen Bradford, looks forward to the anticipated release
of additional API and AYP information in October. “The SMMUSD Educational Services department will use the data
throughout the fall as we plan for staff development and additional support to
school sites in order to continue and accelerate this remarkable trajectory of
achievement.”