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Making the Grade and Then Some By Teresa Rochester Every Santa Monica and Malibu school posted remarkable gains on standardized test scores, far exceeding goals set for them by the State and easily qualifying for a bevy of cash awards from the state, according to data released Wednesday. Fourteen of the district's 16 schools participated in the Academic Performance Index. All of them handily surpassed state prescribed improvement targets, compared to 71 percent of schools throughout the State. All of the schools qualify for a share of $677 million in state funded rewards for achievement gains. "Everyone's very pleased," said Lisle Staley, the district's director of standards and assessment and testing. "It's not so much that their targets were met and they're eligible for awards, they far exceeded the targets." In some cases schools doubled and tripled their API growth targets, which were based on school-wide growth and significant improvements by ethnic and poor students. Six of the district's elementary schools and one middle school scored well over the state's target score of 800. At John Muir Elementary, which was identified as a low-achieving school, Latino students were expected to post an eight-point improvement; instead their score increased by 78 points, Staley said. Poor students at Muir also were supposed to improve by eight points, but they scored a 109-point improvement. Muir and Edison Elementary are eligible for the state's Certificated Staff Performance Incentive award for low achieving schools that surpass their growth targets. Schools that post the largest increases may receive up to $10,000 a piece. Muir, Edison and the district's other elementary, middle and high schools are all qualified for two other reward programs that would pay out up to $150 per student and cash rewards for all full-time staff members at qualifying schools. The Academic Performance Index is the cornerstone of a comprehensive accountability system that became law in April of 1999. It is among a series of vigorous reforms adopted by the state, including class-size reduction, tougher academic standards and more money to attract and train new students. Still missing from the accountability system are tests that are aligned with the state's academic standards and a high school exam, which students will have to pass in order to graduate. For more information on the California Department of Education's Growth Report log on to: http://api.cde.ca.gov/api2000a/APIG_Dist.asp?cYear=&cSelect=1964980 -- |
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