For the third year in a row, LCUSD is the second highest performing school district in the state as measured by the Academic Performance Index (API) scores.  The API is the cornerstone of the statewide accountability system for California public schools.  The margin between the first and second place districts has been narrowing each year for the last four years.

In 2008, there was a 27 point difference between San Marino and LCUSD.  The scores then were 944 and 917 respectively.  The difference is now reduced to only 13 points.  Each year since 2008 La Canada’s API has improved at a greater rate than San Marino. 

Additionally, the margin between the second and third unified school districts is widening.  This year, Manhattan Beach scored third with an API of 932 among comparable unified school districts.  In 2010, seven points separated third place Manhattan Beach from La Cañada.  This year the difference is 10 points. 

The most growth in LCUSD this year is at La Cañada High School.  Its API score increased 13 points since last year and is now 928.  All elementary schools are at or above 960.  Paradise Canyon Elementary grew five points to 960;  Palm Crest Elementary, at 968, dipped only one point from last year;  and La Cañada Elementary is now at 969, up three points. 

The API is figured by the state using a weighted formula.  The formula includes the results of the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) tests administered in May and the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE).  The California Standards Test (CST) results are most heavily weighted. 

There is little difference between LCUSD’s three elementary schools’ outstanding performance.  Fourth graders district-wide demonstrated the highest performance with between 92% and 98% at all sites meeting or exceeding the state target in both English-language arts and mathematics.

In contrast, third grade English-language arts results district-wide will be addressed in the next school year for improvement.  The combined average of the three schools for this test is 84% scoring in the proficient or advanced range.

At the high school level, student performance increased for every subject tested in grades 7/8 since 2010.  The most growth took place in eighth grade science where 94% of students met or exceeded the state target, an increase of six percent.  In grades 9-12, student performance increased on most tests.  The most growth took place in World History, a test given to sophomores.  Performance improved by eight percent with 82% meeting or exceeding the state target.  Grade 11 English-language arts results improved by six percent up to 83%.  At 62% proficient and advanced, Geometry showed the greatest decline since last year by seven percent.

Disaggregating the data by grade level, subject, teacher and class is important for on-going improvement.  Teachers and administrators now have immediate access test results through the new data management system, IlluminateEd, that is being piloted district wide this semester.  These analyses are important to target specific areas in which to refine instruction to achieve greater student success. 

In response to community interest, the CST performance of students attending the school district through the interdistrict permit process has also been analyzed.  The data showed that a higher percent of permitted students met or exceeded the state targets than the overall student population in English-language arts, grades 3-6.  In fourth grade, 100% of permitted students met or exceeded the state target in math.  Math performance in second, third and sixth grades were within one percent when comparing all students to those attending on permit.  The biggest difference between the two groups was found in fifth grade mathematics with 79% of the permitted students achieving proficient or advanced compared to 92% of all students in that grade.  However, 100% of the permitted students met or exceeded the state target in science exceeding the score of 96% of all fifth graders.  At the high school level, it was found that the total population performed better than permitted students at most grade levels.  The high school analysis also demonstrated that students achieved higher scores the longer they attended LCUSD schools. 

All stakeholders should be very proud of the students’ high performance on the state tests and the API Growth scores awarded this year.  It is a collective achievement of exemplary efforts of students, the dedication of teachers, administrators and support staff, and parent and community's care and involvement in LCUSD’s schools.