(May 21, 2008) -- LBReport.com provides a direct link below to the 2007 Academic Performance Index (API) LBUSD school scores and decile rankings (1 putting it in the bottom 10% statewide, ten means it's in the top 10%) in data released today (May 21) by the CA Dept. of Education.
Base API scores range from 200 to 1,000 with 800 as the CA Dept. of Education's "target." The rankings on a scale of 1 to 10 permit comparison of the target school to all schools statewide and to schools with "similar" demographic and economic challenges (so-called "similar schools," details below).
For the latest data for each LBUSD school, click 2007 LBUSD Base API Scores.
To compare the most recent (2007) API data with data from 2006 and 2005, click here for a useful chart with data prepared last year by LBUSD.
Among LB elementary schools, Naples/Belmont Shore area Lowell Elementary scored highest with an API of 936 and "10s" (top 10%) among all elementary schools statewide and those with similar demographics. A close second was Los Altos' Mini Gant Elementary with an API of 924, ranked in the top 10% statewide and among the top 30% with schools of similar demographics. In Belmont Heights, Fremont had a 908 API in decile 10 (top 10%) statewide and among schools with similar demographics.
Among LB middle schools, Stanford Middle School ranked highest with an 858 API, putting it in decile 9 (top 20% statewide) and decile 10 (compared to schools with similar demographics). Rogers ranked seocnd with an 841 API and parallel decile rankings.
Only one LB High School -- the magnet CA Academy of Math and Science (API 942) -- met or exceeded Sacramento's minimum "goal" API of 800. Poly had an API of 734, in decile 7 statewide (top 40%) and decile 9 among schools with "similar" demographics. Wilson had an API of 731...in the top 40% statewide and among "similar" schools. Lakewood's API of 718 put it in decile 6 among the top half of schools statewide and among schools similar demographics.
Among other LB High Schools: Renaissance High School for the Arts (API 672, deciles 4 and 8) outscored ELB's Millikan (API 660. deciles 4 and 3).
NLB Jordan had an API of 610, decile 2 statewide (bottom 20%) and decile 5 (lower half) among schools with "similar" demographics. WLB's Cabrillo had an API of 600, decile 2 statewide (bottom 20%) and decile 4 (bottom 40%) among schools with similar demographics.
Dr. James Gulek, Ph.D, LBUSD's Ass't Superintendent of Research, Planning & Evaluation, commented that one looks at statewide rankings, LBUSD's performance tends of mirror the state's averages (not surprising since LBUSD's student population mirrors state population) but when one views LB school rankings in terms of schools with similar demographic challenges ("similar schools"), those rankings are generally higher than the statewide rankings.
Almost 60% of our schools are [ranked in deciles] 8, 9 or 10 -- in other words in the top 30% -- among schools with similar demographic challenges," Dr. Gulek commented. In ranking "similar schools," the CA Dept. of Education applies demographic factors statewide that include English-language learners (i.e. students learning in a new language) and economic factors.
"The data show that our schools outperformed others with similar demographic challenges. We've shown that despite those challenges we can beat the odds." Dr. Gulek said, adding "this is consistent with the Broad Foundation recognized about our schools."
A conspicuous success story is Edison Elementary near 6th St/Maine Ave., a few blocks NW of LB's Civic Center in the shadow of the 710 freeway. It scored an impressive API of 807 (outscoring many upscale area elementary schools) ranking in decile 7 (top 40% of all elementary schools statewide) and in the top 10% among schools with similar demographic.
Some of the demographic data reveal other surprises. ELB's Cubberley Elementary, recently named a Distinguished School for a second time, had an impressive 834 API putting it in decide 8 (top 30% statewide)...while ranking in decile 5 (bottom half) when compared to schools with similar demographics.
Speaking in general (not referring to any one specific school) Dr. Gulek commented that overall, the LBUSD's API scores show steady and sustained progress...and quickly added "and we know there's always room for improvement. That's what we've been working to do and we'll continue to do."
