A smart trend
County schools continue to improve test scores
Imperial County schools have continued to show steady progress in math and English language arts based on standardized test results from the 2017-18 school year.
The California Department of Education on Tuesday released the test results for the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress. The examination measures the proficiency in English language arts and math for thirdthrough eighth-graders, as well as for 11th-graders. Some 19,432 students in Imperial County took the examination last school year.
This is the fourth year of the computer-based tests, which ask students to write clearly, think critically and solve complex problems, as they would need to do in college and in a career. The CAASPP assessment has four different achievement level descriptors: Standard Exceeded, Standard Met, Standard Nearly Met and Standard Not Met.
For the fourth straight year, the percentage of Imperial County students who met or exceeded state standards improved. In English language arts 42.76 percent of students met or exceeded the state benchmark, compared to 40.88 percent in 2016-17 and only 32 percent in 2014-15.
The percentage of those who hit the mark in math was lower, but still improved over previous years. Last year, 30.17 met or exceeded the standard versus 28.85 percent in 2016-17 and 22 percent in 2014-15.
“We’re encouraged that Imperial County students continue to improve in meeting the rigorous state standards for English and Math,” commented Dr. Todd Finnell, county superintendent of schools. “Imperial County schools have improved at a higher rate than other comparable counties and the rest of California, but we still have work ahead as we prepare students for college and career opportunities.”
Although Imperial County’s results lagged behind the state averages in English and math of 49.88 percent and 38.65 percent, they did shine when compared to counties with similar demographic make-ups — specifically Colusa, Madera, Merced, Monterey and Tulare counties, which all have high combined rates of English language learners and low-income residents.
Collectively, only 39.15 percent of that group met or exceeded state standards in English, while 26.16 percent did the same in math.
Nevertheless, low-income students and English language learners continue to represent an area of need in terms of improving academic achievement, according to the Imperial County Office of Education. The percentage of low-income students who met or exceeded state standards in English and math were 36.41 percent and 24.7 percent, respectively. Those numbers fell drastically among English language learners, to 16.59 percent and 13.94 percent, respectively.
One “Bright Spot” — one of only three singled out statewide — in the state Department of Education’s report was Brawley Union High School.
“After reading poorly written essays from students four years ago, Brawley Union High School Principal Jesse Sanchez decided to implement comprehensive school-wide writing requirements,” CDE reported. “All students now have to write in every class — even if it’s summarizing what they have learned regarding muscle anatomy and weight training during physical education.”
Over the past three years, English scores at Brawley Union have soared, CDE said. English language arts results climbed from 34 percent in 2014–15 to 64.57 percent of students meeting or exceeding standards on Smarter Balanced tests in 2016– 17. Test results remained high in 2017–18, with 63.4 percent of students meeting or exceeding standards.
“These improvements are even more significant given the fact that 72 percent of students at the Imperial County schools are from low-income backgrounds, 49 percent are English language learners and 16 percent are migrant students,” CDE said.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson expressed optimism with continued progress made by students statewide, but emphasized much work still needs to be done.
“We’re encouraged by what we see, especially since these tests are more rigorous than previous paper-and-pencil tests. However, we need to make sure all students continue to make progress,” he said. “We must continue our work to narrow achievement gaps as we raise the bar for our students, and better prepare for them for 21st century college and careers.”