Students in Laguna Beach Show Progress in State Test Results

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Ranking second of all Orange County schools for overall percentage of students who met or exceeded standards, Laguna Beach Unified School District is celebrating their students from this year's California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) testing.

“The higher test scores show that the dedication, hard work, and patience of California’s teachers, parents, school employees, and administrators are paying off. Together we are making progress towards upgrading our education system to prepare all students for careers and college in the 21st century,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.

Last spring, Laguna Beach students in grades 3-8 and 11 participated in the CAASPP, which includes the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics. These tests are based on California’s challenging academic standards, which include the ability to write clearly, think critically, and solve problems— skills needed to succeed in college and a 21st century career.

The CAASPP test was introduced in 2014-2015, making this the first time a district is able to compare results year-to-year to measure student progress.

The percentage of students who met the ELA standards for grades 3-8 increased from 2015 to 2016, and grade 11 remained unchanged. The percentage of students who met the math standards for grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 11 increased from 2015 to 2016, and grade 7 decreased by 1 percent.

“Our students continue to succeed in Laguna and that is a testament to their hard work, as well as the continued effort of their families, our teachers, staff and district leadership,” said LBUSD Superintendent Dr. Jason Viloria. “Our growth in scores from last year is a great indicator of the ongoing focus of continuous improvement in Laguna Beach Unified School District.”

Top of the World Elementary School scores beat all Orange County district averages in English language arts/literacy (ELA) for three grade levels (grades 3-5) and for fifth-grade math. Ninety-two percent of Top of the World’s fifth-graders met or exceeded the ELA standards, 10 percent above Los Alamitos USD’s district average and 12 percent above the Irvine USD’s district average. At Laguna Beach High School, 82 percent of eleventh-graders either met or exceeded the ELA standards, the highest eleventh-grade district percentage in Orange County.

Additionally, the Laguna Beach Unified School District averages in sixth-grade math, seventh-grade math, eighth-grade math, sixth-grade ELA, and eighth-grade ELA were the highest in the county.

Laguna Beach Unified is tied with Los Alamitos USD for the second highest overall results in Orange County, falling just one percentage point below Irvine USD.

Principals will be working with their teachers at the beginning of the year to examine the data and determine areas of growth and need. This information, and a variety of other performance measures, provides school and district staff with valuable information to help drive instructional practices and supports to meet the needs of all LBUSD students.

Congratulations, LBUSD!