In the third year of revamped testing procedures, Los Angeles County students showed minimal gains in English and math achievement compared to the previous year, according to results released Wednesday by the California Department of Education.
The generally flat year-over-year performance was reflected across the state, with scores essentially on par with last year’s results on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress. The CAASPP tests were implemented in 2015 to reflect Common Core standards, replacing the previous Standardized Testing and Reporting Program.
The CAASPP online tests were administered in the spring to about 3.2 million students across the state in grades 3-8 and 11.
In Los Angeles County, 19.1 percent of the nearly 770,000 students who took the tests exceeded the state standard in English, up from 18 percent last year. According to the state, 28.05 percent met the English standard, up slightly from 28 percent in 2016; 23.45 percent “nearly” met it, down from 24 percent the previous year; and 29.35 failed to meet the standard, compared to 29 percent in 2016.
In math, 16.3 percent exceeded the state standard, 19.6 percent met it, 26.7 percent nearly met it and 37.4 percent failed to meet it. Those figures were all generally on par with results from the previous year.
Statewide, 20 percent of students exceeded the standard in English, while 28.4 percent met the standard, 23.1 percent nearly met it and 28.4 percent did not meet it. In math, 17.6 percent exceeded the standard, while 20 percent met it, 26.6 percent nearly met it and 35.9 percent failed to meet it.
The scores were generally steady from last year’s results, with state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson saying the outcome showed that students had maintained gains made between 2015 and 2016.
“I’m pleased we retained our gains, but we have much more work to do,” he said. “We need to work diligently to narrow achievement gaps and make sure all students continue to make progress. It’s important to remember that these tests are far more rigorous and realistic than the previous paper and pencil tests. We are asking more of our students, but for a good reason — so they are better prepared for the world of college and careers.”
In the Los Angeles Unified School District, 14.6 percent of students exceeded the state standard in English, and 25 percent met it, roughly the same as in 2016. Twenty-four percent of students nearly met the standard and 36 percent failed to meet it, also on par with the previous year.
In math, 12.4 percent of LAUSD students exceeded the state standard, up from 11 percent in 2016, while 17.5 percent met it, up from 17 percent the previous year. About 26.6 percent nearly met the standard, down from 28 percent the year before, and 43.5 percent failed to meet it, the same as 2016.
“In this third year of these rigorous assessments, we’re able to see our progress, as well as areas where we need to improve,” LAUSD Superintendent Michelle King said. “Our teachers, principals and administrators are working closely to develop strategies and allocate resources so that we can eliminate disparities and help all students to achieve.”
