Release: #05-103
August 31, 2005

Contact: Pam Slater
E-mail: communications@cde.ca.gov
Phone: 916-319-0818

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced that 81 percent of California's public schools made significant gains this year in reaching their schoolwide growth targets, a 17-point increase over 2004.

In addition, 83 percent of California schools posted increases in overall academic growth, compared to 64 percent last year.

The results are part of the 2004-05 Academic Performance Index (API), the state's accountability system that measures the academic success of a school on the basis of how much it improves. Also released today are the results of the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), the federal government's accountability model, which show 56 percent of California schools successfully met their AYP targets. Both the state API and the federal AYP are calculated using the annual results of students tested in the Standardized Testing and Reporting Program (STAR) and the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE).

"The outstanding API results reflect the tremendous success we celebrated earlier this month when our annual test scores showed widespread gains in nearly every subject and grade level," said O'Connell. "With data showing six years of improved student achievement we know that California schools are headed in the right direction. We now need to maintain the focus on high standards to keep up the momentum for improved student achievement at all schools."

At each grade level tested, from grade two through grade eleven, schools are making increases toward the state's API performance target of 800 (out of a possible 1,000). In 2005, more than 27 percent of California schools attained or exceeded that mark, compared to 23 percent of schools in 2004. For elementary schools, 32 percent are at or above 800, compared to 27 percent last year; 21 percent of middle schools are at or above that mark, compared to 18 percent last year; and 12 percent of high schools reached or passed 800, compared to 9 percent last year.

When viewed over a six-year period a clear trend toward sustained improvement emerges. For example, from 1999-2005 California's median elementary school API rose 122 points from 629 to 751. In addition, the percentage of elementary schools reaching the state's target goal of 800 grew by 19 percentage points, from 13 percent to 32 percent. The six-year trend also shows that the base API for even the lowest performing schools is significantly higher than the base was in 1999. For example, a school ranked at the top of decile one this year would have been ranked in decile six if their current API score were used on the 1999 scale.

"While we can celebrate the progress our schools are making, we cannot forget the significant work still ahead of us, specifically on closing the pernicious achievement gap," O'Connell said.

The progress report under the federal accountability system showed that fewer schools in 2005 met federal accountability targets, which nearly doubled this year. The percentage of schools making AYP fell to 56 percent in 2005 from 65 percent in 2004. Under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, schools must meet annual AYP targets, which increase over time, so that in 2013-14, 100 percent of students are expected to score at the proficient level or above.

"It is important to remember the dramatic escalation in the AYP targets when viewing this year's results," O'Connell noted. "The dichotomy in the progress reports released today underscores why we support our state API growth model as a more accurate reflection of trends in our schools.

"Under NCLB, each state defines what it considers a proficient level of performance for its students," O'Connell continued. "In order to ensure our students are prepared to compete in a global economy, California has set our level for proficiency very high to reflect our world-class curriculum standards, which are some of the most rigorous in the nation."

The 2005 API and AYP results are presented in the Accountability Progress Report (APR). Each school, school district, as well as the state as a whole has its own individual report. The APR provides a comprehensive view of academic results on key indicators, such as state tests, graduation rates, and student subgroup performance.

New this year, the 2005 APR consolidates a number of reports that were previously available separately into one report available at one Web site location. The various sections and elements of the APR are easily accessible through the use of navigation tabs. The 2005 APR is available at: AYP Reports and Data Files.

The 2005 APR will also include information about Program Improvement (PI). On September 15, PI data will be posted into the APR. A school that receives federal Title I funds may be identified for PI if it does not make AYP for two consecutive years within specific areas. However, CDE will also apply a Safe Harbor calculation that considers whether schools are making some progress based on decreasing the number of students below proficient. The Safe Harbor calculation will also be posted with the PI release in September. If a school is identified as PI, it must implement certain services, such as offering school choice with paid transportation or tutoring services to students at the school. Schools that continue in PI face escalating requirements, up to and including a change in governance. School districts and county offices of education that receive Title I funds also may be identified for PI. A school is eligible to exit PI if it makes AYP for two consecutive years.

The complete 2004-05 API Growth results, which will include information on subgroups (not currently available in today's report), will be incorporated into the 2005 APR in October.

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Attachments

2005 Accountability Progress Report
State Accountability: Academic Performance Index (API)

Percent of Schools Meeting 2005 State API Criteria
(Schoolwide API Growth Only)

School Type	Met State API Schoolwide Growth Target 2004	Met State API Schoolwide Growth Target 2005	At or Above State API Performance Target of 800 2004	At or Above State API Performance Target of 800 2005	Increased API 2004	Increased API 2005
Elementary Schools	62%	81%	27%	32%	59%	81%
Middle Schools	73%	81%	18%	21%	76%	85%
High Schools	68%	83%	9%	12%	74%	87%
All Schools	64%	81%	23%	27%	64%	83%
Total Number of Schools	6,974	7,196	7,164	7,196	7,004	7,196

Median APIs
(Schoolwide API Growth Only)

School Type	All Schools 2004	All Schools 2005
Elementary Schools	731	751
Middle Schools	697	715
High Schools	669	692
All Schools	718	736
Total Number of Schools	7,164	7,302

Note: For both tables, schools in the Alternative Schools Accountability Model (ASAM) and small schools are excluded.  A "small school" is a school with fewer than 100 valid test scores.

2005 Accountability Progress Report
Federal Accountability: Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)

Percent of Schools Meeting ALL 2005 Federal AYP Criteria (Making AYP)
All Schools

School Type	All Schools 2004	All Schools 2005	Title I-Funded Schools Only 2004	Title I-Funded Schools Only 2005
Elementary Schools	75%	60%	69%	47%
Middle Schools	44%	39%	31%	24%
High Schools	53%	56%	50%	51%
All Schools	65%	56%	61%	45%
Total Number of Schools	9,206	9,188	5,712	5,674

Note: Schools in the Alternative Schools Accountability Model (ASAM) and small schools are included. A "small school" is a school with fewer than 100 valid test scores. For 2005, the number of Title I schools statewide was taken from the 2005-06 Consolidated Application, Part 1, that each LEA is responsible for completing annually. As of August 22, 2005, 97.3 percent of the LEAs in California had completed the Consolidated Application. Safe harbor not applied.

Percent of Schools Meeting 2005 State API Criteria (Schoolwide API Only)
But Not Making 2005 Federal AYP
All Schools

School Type	Met State API Schoolwide Growth Target AND Missed AYP 2004	Met State API Schoolwide Growth Target AND Missed AYP 2005
Elementary Schools	17%	37%
Middle Schools	53%	60%
High Schools	19%	31%
All Schools	24%	40%
Total Number of Schools	4,475	5,724

Note: Schools in the Alternative Schools Accountability Model (ASAM) and small schools are excluded.  A "small school" is a school with fewer than 100 valid test scores. Safe harbor not applied.

Schools Meeting/Not Meeting 2005 Federal AYP Criteria
All Schools

AYP Criteria by Component	Number of Schools 2004	Number of Schools 2005	Number of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2004	Number of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2005	Number of Schools Missed AYP Criteria 2004	Number of Schools Missed AYP Criteria 2005	Percent of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2004	Percent of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2005
All Criteria	9,206	9,188	6,024	5,133	3,182	4,055	65.4%	55.9%

Participation Rate, English-Language Arts

AYP Criteria by Component	Number of Schools 2004	Number of Schools 2005	Number of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2004	Number of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2005	Number of Schools Missed AYP Criteria 2004	Number of Schools Missed AYP Criteria 2005	Percent of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2004	Percent of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2005
1. Schoolwide	9,206	9,188	8,875	8,965	331	223	96.4%	97.6%
2. African American or Black (not of Hispanic origin)	1,249	1,214	1,175	1,160	74	54	94.1%	95.6%
3. American Indian or Alaska Native	17	16	16	15	1	1	94.1%	93.8%
4. Asian	1,216	1,237	1,206	1,234	10	3	99.2%	99.8%
5. Filipino	195	199	195	199	0	0	100.0%	100.0%
6. Hispanic or Latino	5,666	5,785	5,515	5,688	151	97	97.3%	98.3%
7. Pacific Islander	2	2	2	2	0	0	100.0%	100.0%
8. White (not of Hispanic origin)	4,892	4,775	4,767	4,696	125	79	97.4%	98.3%
9. Socioeconomically disadvantaged	6,136	6,172	5,963	6,046	173	126	97.2%	98.0%
10. English Learners	4,204	4,069	4,128	4,042	76	27	98.2%	99.3%
11. Students with Disabilities	936	818	854	778	82	40	91.2%	95.1%

Participation Rate, Mathematics

AYP Criteria by Component	Number of Schools 2004	Number of Schools 2005	Number of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2004	Number of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2005	Number of Schools Missed AYP Criteria 2004	Number of Schools Missed AYP Criteria 2005	Percent of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2004	Percent of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2005
12. Schoolwide	9,206	9,188	8,839	8,942	367	246	96.0%	97.3%
13. African American or Black (not of Hispanic origin)	1,248	1,213	1,169	1,163	79	50	93.7%	95.9%
14. American Indian or Alaska Native	17	16	16	15	1	1	94.1%	93.8%
15. Asian	1,216	1,236	1,206	1,233	10	3	99.2%	99.8%
16. Filipino	195	199	194	199	1	0	99.5%	100.0%
17. Hispanic or Latino	5,665	5,787	5,507	5,685	158	102	97.2%	98.2%
18. Pacific Islander	2	2	2	2	0	0	100.0%	100.0%
19. White (not of Hispanic origin)	4,894	4,777	4,758	4,691	136	86	97.2%	98.2%
20. Socioeconomically disadvantaged	6,136	6,172	5,935	6,047	201	125	96.7%	98.0%
21. English Learners	4,204	4,069	4,125	4,038	79	31	98.1%	99.2%
22. Students with Disabilities	936	819	808	765	128	54	86.3%	93.4%

Percent Proficient, English-Language Arts

AYP Criteria by Component	Number of Schools 2004	Number of Schools 2005	Number of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2004	Number of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2005	Number of Schools Missed AYP Criteria 2004	Number of Schools Missed AYP Criteria 2005	Percent of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2004	Percent of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2005
23. Schoolwide	9,206	9,188	8,761	7,976	445	1,212	95.2%	86.8%
24. African American or Black (not of Hispanic origin)	1,096	1,072	887	634	209	438	80.9%	59.1%
25. American Indian or Alaska Native	14	13	12	6	2	7	85.7%	46.2%
26. Asian	1,192	1,178	1,140	1,094	52	84	95.6%	92.9%
27. Filipino	193	197	193	196	0	1	100.0%	99.5%
28. Hispanic or Latino	5,468	5,587	4,825	3,793	643	1,794	88.2%	67.9%
29. Pacific Islander	2	2	1	0	1	2	50.0%	0.0%
30. White (not of Hispanic origin)	4,757	4,625	4,752	4,606	5	19	99.9%	99.6%
31. Socioeconomically disadvantaged	5,960	5,945	5,348	4,167	612	1,778	89.7%	70.1%
32. English Learners	4,012	3,990	2,602	1,447	1,410	2,543	64.9%	36.3%
33. Students with Disabilities	756	699	277	273	479	426	36.6%	39.1%

Percent Proficient, Mathematics

AYP Criteria by Component	Number of Schools 2004	Number of Schools 2005	Number of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2004	Number of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2005	Number of Schools Missed AYP Criteria 2004	Number of Schools Missed AYP Criteria 2005	Percent of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2004	Percent of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2005
34. Schoolwide	9,206	9,188	8,824	8,376	382	812	95.9%	91.2%
35. African American or Black (not of Hispanic origin)	1,096	1,070	769	573	327	497	70.2%	53.6%
36. American Indian or Alaska Native	13	13	10	7	3	6	76.9%	53.8%
37. Asian	1,188	1,178	1,174	1,155	14	23	98.8%	98.0%
38. Filipino	191	197	191	196	0	1	100.0%	99.5%
39. Hispanic or Latino	5,463	5,587	4,912	4,549	551	1,038	89.9%	81.4%
40. Pacific Islander	2	2	2	0	0	2	100.0%	0.0%
41. White (not of Hispanic origin)	4,748	4,621	4,718	4,542	30	79	99.4%	98.3%
42. Socioeconomically disadvantaged	5,956	5,947	5,399	4,912	557	1,035	90.6%	82.6%
43. English Learners	4,009	3,990	3,375	2,977	634	1,013	84.2%	74.6%
44. Students with Disabilities	738	699	268	281	470	411	36.3%	40.2%

Academic Performance Index As Additional Indicator For AYP

AYP Criteria by Component	Number of Schools 2004	Number of Schools 2005	Number of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2004	Number of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2005	Number of Schools Missed AYP Criteria 2004	Number of Schools Missed AYP Criteria 2005	Percent of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2004	Percent of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2005
45. API as additional indicator	9,206	9,188	8,340	8,672	866	516	90.6%	94.4%

Graduation Rate

AYP Criteria by Component	Number of Schools 2004	Number of Schools 2005	Number of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2004	Number of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2005	Number of Schools Missed AYP Criteria 2004	Number of Schools Missed AYP Criteria 2005	Percent of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2004	Percent of Schools Made AYP Criteria 2005
46. Graduation Rate	2,156	2,288	1,930	1,906	226	382	89.5%	83.3%

Graduation rate is calculated for all schools with any grade 9-12 students.

Percent of LEAs Meeting 2005 Federal AYP Criteria
(Made AYP)

School Type	All LEAs 2004	All LEAs 2005
Elementary School Districts	69%	66%
Unified School Districts	46%	38%
High School Districts	53%	69%
County Offices of Education	22%	17%
All LEAs Making AYP	59%	56%
Total Number of LEAs	1,040	1,035

Note: LEA = Local Educational Agency.  An LEA is a school district or county office of education. Safe harbor not applied.