STAR results show Newport-Mesa up an average of 2% in four subjects

COSTA MESA — The number of Newport-Mesa Unified students scoring proficient or advanced on state standardized tests continued its upward trend in 2011, according to data released Monday.

The 2011 Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) statewide results shows the percent of students with an adequate or superior grasp of the curriculum increasing from the previous year by an average of 2% in English-language arts, math, history and science, according to the state Department of Education.

“I am pleased with the [state test] scores released today,” said Supt. Jeffrey Hubbard. “It is another testament to the hard work of staff, students and parents. N-MUSD continues to move forward in addressing the needs of each student to achieve academic success.”

The standardized tests are used to gauge how well students comprehend the state’s content standards by grade level.

Students are categorized as either having an advanced, proficient, basic, below basic or far below basic knowledge of the content.

The results are used to calculate school Academic Performance Index, which the state is expected to release Aug. 31.

In Newport-Mesa, 64.8% of students scored either proficient or advanced in English-language arts, compared with 62.8% of students in the county and 54.4% of students at the state level.

Similarly in history, 60.7% of students scored within the top two categories versus 59.1% at the county level and 47.7% at the state level.

In science, the district outscored the county with 69.6% proficient compared with 67.7% at the county and only 57% at the state.

Only in math, where Newport-Mesa averaged a 59.4%, did the district fall below the county average by .07%. The district still outperformed the state average, however, by 9.3%.