Similar
Schools Rank on the 2005 API Base Report
Indicates
CVUSD elementary schools are *not* among the best
Pat
Phelps, Tim Stephens, Dorothy Beaubian, and Delores Didio are culpable
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Where is the investigative reporting on the 2005 API Similar Schools Ranking for CVUSD? Specifically I am speaking of the SECOND comparison column on the annual API base report which compares how well each school performs measured against other communities with the same demographics. “Our district is one of the finest in the state,” is the familiar closing mantra proffered in opinion letters signed by CVUSD trustees Tim Stephens, Pat Phelps, Dorothy Beaubian and Dolores Didio.
In 2005 NOT ONE CVUSD
elementary school was able to rank a 10 (best) when compared with other similar
schools in
Recent articles highlight the fact enrollment is dropping in CVUSD. With Internet access to the API similar schools ranking, private schools and other districts with effective programs will undoubtedly draw students away. Gregory Lennox has correctly pointed out that declining enrollment in CVUSD dictates that our district must begin to compete for students or suffer significant financial cut backs.
Come election time, voters would be wise to elect school board trustees who support and endorse strong academic content, rather than “politically correct” programs recommended by educators who promote an experimental progressive agenda. Save Our Children from Mediocre Math strongly endorses Mike Dunn, John Andersen, and Greg Lennox for CVUSD school board in the November 2006 election.
Jo Anne Cobasko
Co founder
Save Our Children from
Mediocre Math (SOCMM)
Originally
published in the T.O. Acorn September 14, 2006
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2005
API Similar Schools ranking for CVUSD
API scores for CVUSD
elementary schools may appear to be good; however, the similar schools ranking
(the 2nd column indicating a rank of 1-10) show the scores are not at the level
they should be. CVUSD
is an economically prosperous community, with a high percentage of college
educated parents. There is a direct
correlation to parental income and education and how well students can be
expected to perform on standardized exams.
When compared to other communities with similar demographics the API
report indicates our schools should be accomplishing more.
The low ranking of CVUSD
elementary schools will impact everyone in the community because the quality of
the schools has a direct affect on home values.
The greatest concern however should
be for the academic and economic future of the children.
CVUSD’s
K-6 “whole math” program is not aligned with CA math standards or STAR exams which impacts
the district’s ranking adversely.
API Scores at the elementary level are weighted 40% towards
Mathematics
SBE Explanation of API similar schools ranking
D-Ed Reckoning has a
great visual representation of the direct correlation between socio-economic status
and student achievement. (Scroll
up to the top of the page) The graphs
depicted on this site and the knowledgeable explanations help to illustrate the
mechanics behind the API similar schools ranking.
http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/
In 1997 CA passed the ABC legislation
which established grade level content Standards that publishers are required to
meet in order to receive the State Board of Education’s approval and
authorization for state funding for the classroom use of their textbooks. The CA Curriculum review panel (established
by the ABC legislation) is composed of university professors with degrees in
the subject matter under consideration.
All textbooks must meet CA’s top rated Standards, or be rejected. The CA
STAR testing, a component in calculating the API scores,
is aligned to measure achievement based on the CA content standards.
Everyday
Math was REJECTED TWICE by the State
Board of Education for failing to meet CA Math Standards. Pat
Phelps, Tim Stephens, Dorothy Beaubian, and Delores Didio voted to institute
this grossly inferior “whole math” program in CVUSD K-6 classrooms. These same 4 trustees refused to act when
parents requested a choice to use a state approved math program.
California’s
Math Standards are rated #1 in the Nation according the Fordham Foundation CA Standards
for English, Math, History, and Science, have all received the highest marks
from the Fordham Foundation.
Not using state approved math textbooks limits the academic and
economic future of CVUSD students and contributes to CVUSD’s
low similar schools rank.
VOTE FOR
JOHN ANDERSEN, GREG
FOR CVUSD School Board
Please
forward this message to voters in the community (even those without children in
the schools) we depend on all of you to spread the word.
This page is sponsored by Save
Our Children from Mediocre Math (SOCMM)