AHS Common Core Scores Exceed State Average

KYLE ANG
Staff Writer

In the 2013-14 school year, the CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) replaced STAR/CST (Standardized Testing and Reporting System/Califorrnia Standardized Testing) tests and became the new student assessment test of California. CAASPP is also known as the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment, and is based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).

Instead of bubbling in letters on an answer sheet, students are required to take the CAASSPP on the computer, according to Los Angeles Daily News. Daily News also states that these tests emphasize the writing section much more than the previous STAR/CST tests.

In spring 2015, over three million students were administered these assessments in an attempt to better gauge their development in adapting to Common Core State Standards. On Sept. 9, the results of the new assessment were unveiled by the California Department of Education.

Results show a considerably large achievement gap in California between the low-income students/ English Learners and other students. Southern California Public Radio also reports that, “White and Asian students met or exceeded the standards at a much higher rate than black and Latino students.” Scores also show that African Americans are struggling to meet standards, with Latino students passing their percentage by a few points. KPCC states that, “in the English language arts portion of the test, 72 percent of African-American students fell short of proficiency. In math, 83 percent of African-American students almost met or failed to meet the standards.”

As for Alhambra High’s standing on the CAASPP, the school went above the statewide statistics of the English and Language Arts section; more than half AHS’students met the standards. According to the CAASPP website, AHS’ score results show that about 65 percent of the students met or exceeded standards in the English and Language Arts section, while 45 percent of students fulfilled requirements for the Mathematics section.

Less than half of the state’s public school students passed the test, revealing that students are struggling with the new assessment design. According to the California Department of Education, “statewide in all grades, 44 percent of students met or exceeded the English language arts/literacy standard and 33 percent met or exceeded the mathematics standard.”

Since 2014-15 school year was the first year that the CAASPP tests were administered, it serves as a baseline to judge the students’ future progress. State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson says, “California is in the process of transforming its schools with increased funding, higher academic standards, more local control, and additional support for students and schools with the greatest needs—and this will take time.”

Considering that the standards of the CAASPP and the old tests vary so greatly in the math sections, these first year results cannot be compared to the previous STAR and CST tests, according to KPCC (Southern California Public Radio). Nonetheless, Daily News explains that not comparing scores of the CAASPP assessments to the older results of the CST/STAR tests will be difficult especially for the high-achieving schools who suddenly see a drop in their ranks due to the newer, different system.

Though there are still challenges in adapting and developing ways of new learning, Daily News says that the changes and standards of the Common Core system in the CAASP are intended to push and prepare students to confidently fulfill the in future college classes and careers.