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.
