SIMI VALLEY : Scaled-Bank Student Testing Considered

The Simi Valley school board is scheduled to discuss tonight whether to revise the district’s assessment program by decreasing the number of times students are tested.

Currently, the Simi Valley Unified School District administers comprehensive skill tests each year for all students grades 1 to 10. School officials have recommended scaling back to grades 3, 5, 8 and 10 only.

By testing only during those “benchmark” years, periods considered to be key in a student’s educational development, school officials said the district could save about $11,800 annually and improve how students are assessed.

“You can get the information using benchmark years,” programs and assessment Director Becky Wetzel said. “It will strengthen our program.”

By reducing the number of times students take the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS), school officials can concentrate more time and money on other, more effective ways to monitor students and teachers, Wetzel said.

Given the school district’s grim financial situation, the proposal would also save money. District officials have projected a $5.9-million deficit over the next two years. Last week, officials presented a plan to reduce that figure by $5.4 million, leaving a shortfall of about $450,000.

The district spends about $19,000 annually to administer tests to all students. Under the recommended proposal, the district would only spend $7,200, officials said.

Other items on the school board agenda tonight include a report on dropout rates as well as curriculum recommendations from the district’s high school task force.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 7 in the City Council chambers.