RBUSD: We Want to Score Even Higher on API

The 2010 Academic Performance Index (API) scores are out, and most schools in the Redondo Beach Unified School District (RBUSD) have something to cheer about. Despite extensive budget cuts this year, 11 out of the 13 schools in the district scored better than last year, and the district as a whole scored 868, up 10 points from last year.

"Our staff has worked diligently to increase the academic expectations for all students," said Steven Keller, RBUSD superintendent. "Our goal is to better our performance. We would love to see every school earn an API of or above 900 next year."

The API score, administered by the California Department of Education, assigns every school in the state a score between 200 and 1,000 based on the performance of students in grades 2 through 11 on standardized tests taken in the spring.

Jefferson Elementary School ranked first in the district with 949 points, 11 points higher than last year. Beryl Heights Elementary, last year's top school, scored 948. 

Adams Middle School, with a score of 858, leaped ahead 30 points this year compared with last year.

However, Washington Elementary and Madison Elementary slipped his year, down five and four points, respectively. 

"I will not make any excuses for our scores," said Vivian Ibarra, principal of Washington Elementary School. "We were all disappointed in a drop of five points, and the entire staff is working together to help all children succeed."

She said this year the school is implementing a computer based program called Fast ForWard, designed to improve reading and comprehension skills for students.

"We have a literacy coach to work with teachers and help differentiate instruction in the classrooms. We have looked at all individual student scores and are making sure we have interventions to help each child improve their own score. I am confident that Washington School will make great gains this year," said Ibarra.

Statewide, the 2010 Growth API report showed that 46 percent of all California schools are now at or above the overall statewide target API of 800, up four percentage points from 2009, according to a news release by state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell. This year California students increased their API by 13 points.

"For the eighth year in a row, California schools have made gains in academic achievement and narrowing the achievement gap," O'Connell said in the statement. "While we cannot be satisfied until the achievement gap is eliminated and all students are well prepared for college and careers, this significant progress should be celebrated."