Glendale students show gains in state exam
Glendale students made gains over last year in math and English language arts on the state’s standardized exam, according to the latest data released by state officials on Wednesday.
Across Glendale, roughly 13,500 students in third through eighth grades as well as 11th grade took tests using computers last spring.
Results show that 62% of those tested met or exceeded the standard in English, a four-point increase over last year, while 52% achieved the same in mathematics, a three-point gain compared to 2015.
The higher scores across Glendale’s 30 schools should be welcome news for teachers, who have been working to shift to a new, more rigorous curriculum, said Kelly King, assistant superintendent of Glendale Unified.
As a district, Glendale Unified also reported higher marks than the state and Los Angeles County averages in both math and English, anywhere from 13 to 17 points higher.
“I hope they see these results and celebrate. This is a strong indication they’re on the right track,” King said of Glendale’s teachers. “I want them to realize, ‘Look how amazing Glendale is.’ It’s because of their hard work.”
Unlike past multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper exams, this computerized exam, known as the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, adjusts to each student’s knowledge level.
If a student answers a question correctly, they’re prompted with a more difficult question. If a student answers a question incorrectly, they’re given an easier one.
On the math portion, students were tested on problem solving, data analysis, mathematical rules and reasoning. On the language portion, they were challenged on reading comprehension, writing, listening and research.
Results show there were some achievement gaps among the district’s four high schools, where juniors took the exam.
While 80% of students tested at Clark Magnet High School met or exceeded the math standard, only 35% of students tested at Glendale High achieved the same.
King said Clark’s focus on math and science since it was established as a magnet school in the late 1990s contributed to its high score.
To some degree, King said, “the test more closely matches the math philosophy and program at Clark,” while teachers and administrators at the non-magnet high schools are working to make that shift in math.
Clark’s success also gives school officials “more fuel in our fire” to meet their goals across all Glendale schools,” King said. “We need to learn from our successes and examine the areas we succeed in and why.”
Elsewhere, 41% of students tested at Hoover High met or exceeded the math standard compared to 62% who did the same at Crescenta Valley High School.
When it came to the English portion of the exam, 92% of juniors tested at Clark Magnet met or exceeded that standard, compared to 84% at Crescenta Valley High School.
Meanwhile, 69% of students tested at Hoover High met or exceeded the English standard and 53% of Glendale High juniors achieved the same.
While King said the scores, overall, are a testament to teachers’ hard work, she also pointed to room for more improvement.
“If we can celebrate how far above we are from the state and the county [averages], the students who have not yet met the standards, we have a responsibility to meet their needs,” King said.
State Supt. Tom Torlakson expressed optimism in the higher marks achieved, overall, across the state compared to last year.
“Of course, there’s more work to do, but our system has momentum,” Torlakson said in a statement. “I am confident that business, political and community leaders will join parents and educators to help continue supporting increased standards and resources for schools.”
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Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com
Twitter: @kellymcorrigan
