State Tests Show Yuba-Sutter Schools Gaining Ground

By Kymm Mann, Appeal-Democrat, Marysville, Calif.

Mar. 23–Schools in the Marysville and Yuba City school districts gained ground, according to the Annual Performance Index released Wednesday by the state.

The information shows schools and districts what their API target will be for 2006 after students take the tests beginning in April.

It also gives each school’s statewide rankings, showing how each school is doing compared to others in the state. It also separates them according to a “similar schools” chart to show where they rank with schools that have similar demographics.

“These releases show the new target (number) for schools, because it changes depending on where you are on the API index,” said Gay Todd, superintendent of the Marysville Joint Unified School District. “What’s relevant in this particular report is the statewide rank, and it’s from one to 10 – 10 is the highest, so when you look at the state rank, you hope to see high numbers.”

In the Marysville district, five schools increased their state rankings, all by one point – Covillaud and Yuba Feather elementaries; Foothill and McKenney intermediates; and the Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts.

Five schools lost some footing, also by one point each – Loma Rica, Cordua and Dobbins elementaries; Alicia Intermediate; and Lindhurst High. All others remained in the same ranking as last year.

In the similar schools rankings, four schools gained ground – Covillaud, Olivehurst and Yuba-Feather elementaries; and Yuba Gardens Intermediate.

Four lost ground – Kynoch Elementary and Alicia, Foothill and McKenney intermediates.

“Of course, we want all of our schools to be at the very top, and we are certainly moving in that direction,” Todd said. “When I look, even at the ones with lower rankings, we are miles ahead of where we were even four years ago, and we see multi-digit increases in API growth, so I’m very pleased and optimistic that we will continue the pattern of increasing test scores.”

In Yuba City Unified, seven schools increased their statewide rank – April Lane, Central Gaither, King Avenue, Lincoln and Lincrest elementaries; and Gray Avenue and Andros Karperos Middle schools.

Nine sites gained ground this year in the similar schools ranking – April Lane, Barry, Butte Vista, Central Gaither, Lincoln, Lincrest and West Walton elementaries; Gray Avenue Middle School; and Yuba City High School.

Only one school dropped in its statewide ranking – Bridge Street Elementary – and three lost ground in similar schools rankings – Bridge Street and Park Avenue elementaries; and Andros Karperos Middle School. All other sites stayed the same.

“Yuba City Unified continues to strive for excellence and is currently working on an individual student basis, as well as at the program level, to refine instruction and student support,” said Superintendent Nancy Aaberg. “Overall, 87 percent of the schools increased their schoolwide API score, compared with 83 percent in the state.”

Aaberg said all schools in the district remain focused on finding strategic ways to promote the students’ success, “regardless of the challenges. Our teachers, students, parents and district staff make a good team, and work diligently to assist every student.”

Appeal-Democrat reporter Kymm Mann can be reached at 749-4708 or kmann@appealdemocrat.com.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Appeal-Democrat, Marysville, Calif.

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