SB 1458 Changes Way Schools Calculate API

Yesterday Governor Brown signed SB 1458 into law, which alters the way APIs are calculated.

The Academic Performance Index (API) measures the academic performance of schools and of students, and is currently used to rank all public schools for the High Achieving/Improving Schools Program.  Currently API takes into a variety of indicators, including graduation rates and student standardized test scores such as the STAR and CAHSEE.  Prior to SB 1458, test results constituted at least 60% of the API. 

With the adoption of SB 1458, several of these factors will change.  SB 1458 eliminates the requirement that API scores be used to measure the progress of specified schools and rank all public schools for the purpose of the High Achieving/Improving Schools Program.  SB 1458 also changes the requirement that standardized testing account at least 60% of the API to no more than 60% starting in 2016. 

A copy of the chaptered bill can be found here.

Meghan Covert Russell

STAR Test Results Delayed Due To Security Breach

The results of the California STAR test are expected to be delayed about two weeks after it was discovered that several school sites may have breached standardized testing protocol.  Over 400 images related to the test were found online, including images of actual test questions.

This breach may have significant impacts on the schools were the security breaches occurred, including a school not receiving Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and/or Academic Performance Index (API) results which may in turn affect funding.  It is important that all school site test administrators/proctors as well as students take the testing procedures seriously.  Failure to do so could result in serious penalties that affect the school as a whole.

For more coverage on this, see the Los Angeles Times article here.

Meghan Covert Russell