October 2018 Message from the Superintendent

How Are We Doing?

As we launch the 2018-19 school year it’s important to know where we are headed. We begin with a fresh slate, new plans, and new goals. And, since we are a data-driven organization, it is important that we examine what worked before and what areas we need focus on to be sure that our students are learning what they need to know.


This time of year there is a lot of talk about test scores—how did we do last year, and where are we going this year? I can tell you: Our students are doing great. Our district’s SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) scores continue to show an upward trend over four years of testing — with a strong 75% of our students Meeting or Exceeding the Standards in English Language Arts, and over 66% Meeting or Exceeding the Standards in Math. Across grade levels and subject areas, our students are achieving.


Is it all about the test scores? No, but the SBAC scores provide us with a wealth of data that we can use to find out whether what we are doing in the classroom is working, and to help us determine areas where we need to focus our attention. SBAC scores help us answer questions such as “How well do students understand stories and information that they read?” “How well do students communicate in writing?” and “How well can students show and apply their problem-solving skills?”


As we roll out our new curricula in Elementary English Language Arts, and in Open Educational Resources (internet-based, freely accessible, openly licensed text and media for learning) in secondary English classrooms, we can use these SBAC tools to monitor student learning. In addition, the SBAC data make it possible to compare scores with students across the state, or student achievement over time.


But, again, we do not want to place too much emphasis on SBAC scores alone. We believe it is also important to use multiple measures to determine individual student progress and student achievement districtwide. So, every day and in every classroom, teachers are monitoring students’ progress through class and group discussions, projects and portfolios, and expressions of creativity and insight


Looking at the performance of our English Learning (EL) students, 21% of EL students were redesignated as Fluent English Proficient last year, as compared to 14% statewide.


Our graduation rate is an impressive 94%, compared to 87% statewide. 81% percent of our students go on to college, compared with the national rate of 69%. And 76% of our graduates are UC/CSU (A through G) eligible, as compared to 47% statewide. Our high school Advanced Placement (AP) test pass rate is 81%; the California passage rate, in contrast, is only 63%. And our commitment to increasing access to AP for underrepresented students has resulted in our third AP District Honor Roll award


Of all CUSD students’ SAT results, 92% meet ELA Benchmarks, compared to 72% of California’s test-takers. Seventy-nine percent of CUSD’s SAT math scores meet math benchmarks, compared to 51% statewide, And 82% of CUSD students taking the ACT meet the College Readiness Composite, which describes the minimum ACT test scores required for students to have a high probability of success in credit-bearing college courses.


An important indicator of student success, further, is the extent to which they feel connected with their school and their fellow students. According to the California Healthy Kids Survey, 95% of CUSD students say they “feel connected” to school, and the district recorded a notable 96% attendance rate in 2017-18. “Where Everyone Belongs” (WEB) clubs at all middle schools, 120 high school clubs, and Carlsbad High School’s designation as the Most Spirited School in the Nation, all contribute to our student’s sense of belonging.


Carlsbad Unified is always looking for new ways to measure student growth. This year we are looking at ways to measure the achievement of our graduate profile attributes, which describe the qualities that a Carlsbad Unified graduate should attain. We are also looking at ways to measure Work-Based Learning Experiences; additional measurement of learning for English Language Learners; and Career Pathway Completers.


Carlsbad Unified is committed to using data to ensure that our students are learning what they need to learn, in order to achieve at high levels.

September 2018 Message from the Superintendent

Welcome Back!

With great enthusiasm I welcome the Carlsbad Unified school community—students, teachers, staff, and families — to the 2018-19 school year, as we spark curiosity, ignite passion, and unleash genius.

Our theme this year is Learner-Centered Innovation, which reflects our school district’s commitment to its North Star—our Vision and Graduate Profile. We are a mission-driven organization, and our more than 1,000 staff members are driven to continuously find ways to improve the educational experience and outcomes for our 11,500 students.

We are proud of our 2017-18 successes in academics, athletics, visual and performing arts, and school awards. Once again we have been named to the Advanced Placement Honor Roll for maintaining high AP Test passage rates while expanding access to the AP Testing program to our students. In 2018, Pacific Rim Elementary School was given the National Blue Ribbon Award; Aviara Oaks and Pacific Rim Elementary Schools received the CA Distinguished Schools Award; Kelly Elementary School was honored with the NCSSE Excellence in Special Education; Calavera Hills and Valley Middle Schools won Classroom of the Future Foundation awards; Sage Creek High School was named to the US News and World Reports list of Best High Schools; and Carlsbad High was named by Varsity Brands as the Most Spirited High School in the Nation. And so much more.

We have been hard at work over the summer, attending great trainings on expanding access to technology for teachers and students, creating hands-on lessons based on the Next Generation Science Standards, and promoting Project-Based Learning.

In addition, we conducted a safety audit in the spring, and have been implementing the audit’s findings. We collaborated with the Carlsbad Police Department on an active-shooter exercise in August at Calavera Hills and have provided safety training for all teachers and staff at Back to School Professional Development in-services. We are working to bring consistency to school safety plans district-wide, with ongoing safety training and infrastructure upgrades.

One important news item from this summer concerns money for school facility repairs and updates. As you know, CUSD has provided a world class education to students in our community since 1958. But some of our schools were built more than 50 years ago and lack the modern classrooms, science labs, and instructional technology that our students need. Our older schools need upgrades to meet the same academic and safety standards as newer schools, so that all students can continue to achieve success in college and careers. As state funding for school improvements is limited, the Board of Trustees unanimously voted to place a school bond on the ballot with the goal of maintaining high-quality education and safety in our schools. Measure HH will be on the November 6, 2018, ballot to generate up to $265 million for facility repairs and updates. More info can be found here.

I hope you had a satisfying summer, and have returned to the new year refreshed and recharged. Let’s all work together to make 2018-19 the best year ever!