In first year-to-year comparison under new state testing standards, Burbank students show gains

Burbank students made gains on the state’s standardized exam, according to data released by state officials this week, in what marks the first year-to-year comparison following California’s adoption of new standards and computerized exam.

Last spring, about 7,500 students in third through eighth grades as well as high school juniors were tested on the computerized exam in math and English language arts.

Results show that district-wide, 61% of students met or exceeded the English standard, a five-point gain over the prior year, while 47% of students met or exceeded the standard in math, a seven-point increase compared to 2015.

For Burbank school officials, the exam is one way to measure students’ knowledge.

“We don’t overemphasize just one test score, however, we are very proud of our teachers and our students to get the type of gains that we’re seeing,” said Burbank Unified Supt. Matt Hill.

Burbank’s scores also landed anywhere from 10 to 15 points higher than the state and county averages.

At Burbank High, however, nearly 300 juniors refused to take the exam, after submitting forms last spring with their parents’ signatures allowing them to opt-out.

In all, about 350 Burbank High juniors out of roughly 640 took the exam.

The opt-out movement was initiated by then-junior Sam Gorman, who made students aware of how to skip the test.

Hill said students’ effort in opting-out should send a message to state officials that they should reevaluate giving the exam to juniors.

Hill said he heard from both students and parents that there was a desire among juniors to take and prepare for other exams, such as the SAT, ACT and AP tests, to determine if they are ready for college.

“I’d encourage the state to continue to look into the value of administering the test to our juniors,” Hill said.

Results show 68% of Burbank High students tested met or exceeded the English standard, and 37% achieved the same in math.

Meanwhile, Burroughs High reported higher scores over Burbank High in both subjects.

At Burroughs, where about 570 out of roughly 580 juniors took the exam, 79% met or exceeded the English standard, while 45% did the same in math.

Across Burbank’s 20 schools, officials anticipate the scores will improve as they continue to focus on new curriculum in math and English language arts.

There’s also a district-wide emphasis to concentrate on writing skills across all grades, said Sharon Cuseo, assistant superintendent for Burbank Unified.

“They show some good progress,” Cuseo said of the scores. “The more our teachers and our students acclimate to the new curriculum, we should see better improvement as well.”

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Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com

Twitter: @kellymcorrigan