Academic Performance rises in Kern

Eighty-seven percent of Kern County schools reached or exceeded schoolwide growth targets as recorded by the Academic Performance Index (API), during the 2002-2003 school year. And no school is subject this year to state intervention or sanctions.

apilogo: API LogoThe API Growth Report released on Oct. 24 can be found on the California Department of Education Web site http://api.cde.ca.gov/.

“Kern County public educators are to be commended for their hard work and commitment to improving achievement for all children. Our goal has been to align classroom instruction and assessment with the content standards,” said Pat Alexander, administrator, Division of Instructional Services for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools.

“This year’s API results are evidence that we are making significant progress in achieving that goal. At the same time it should be noted that the API is but one of several indicators used to measure school performance.”

For the 2001-2002 school year, 44 percent of Kern County public schools met or exceeded their schoolwide growth targets. Two schools were subject to state sanctions. The API is an index-based state assessment. Assessments are administered in the spring of each school year and given to students in grades two through 11. API was created to measure the academic performance and growth of schools. It consists of a numeric index or scale that ranges from a low of 200 to a high of 1,000.

Schools that fail to meet their API targets for two consecutive years may be subject to state intervention to help them improve student performance. Schools deemed to be underperforming are eligible for financial support to help them improve their performance. This year’s API includes the following:

  • The number of students included in the 2002 API
  • A school’s 2002 base (200 to 1,000)
  • The schools’ growth target for 2003
  • The actual growth achieved for 2003

“Our community always has been extremely supportive of our schools. I invite all citizens to join our students and staff and celebrate these significant achievements,” said Kern County Superintendent of Schools Larry E. Reider. “Everyone has worked extremely hard to get where we are today recognizing that our commitment to continue to work toward student success in school and in life.”
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