ABCUSD Breaks Through API Score Goal

By Jerry Bernstein

In a burst of scholastic energy the ABC Unified School District broke through the state’s API [Academic Performance Index] goal of 800 with a score of 814. Leading the way was Whitney High School with a score of 985 points.
In a brief report to the Board of Education at its Sept. 15 meeting, Superintendent Gary Smuts said this was the first time the District had breached the 800 goal. He said some of the school scores were “even” more amazing than the District’s overall rating. The school with the highest gain in the District with 40 points was Carver Elementary School with a total score of 817. Dr. Smuts cited Artesia High School’s Special Education Students who increased their average score by 80 points, English Language writers by 63 points, with an overall school average increase of 38 points for a total of 672.
District elementary schools also showed gains with Carmenita increasing its score by a 38 points for a total of 891, Hawaiian 33 points for a total score of 690, Melbourne by 22 points for a total score of 719, Elliott 32 points, for a total score of 843, Niemes 30 points for a total of 719, and Palms 36 points for a total of 758. He said these are the highest points achieved by these schools
Dr. Smuts cited the District’s partnership with the American Federation of Teachers, as one reason the District has been able to sustain its academic growth. “I think its one of the biggest weapons we have in ABC,” he asserted. He said a more detailed report would be made to the Board at its Oct. 6 meeting.
The District’s overall score of 814 compares with the state average of 759. A breakdown of the different areas shows the following: ABC English Language Score, 61.56 compared to the state score of 52.4; Math, 65.5 compared to 54.5; and Graduation, 90.6 compared to 80.
Overall 87 percent of Non-Alternative ABC schools have met their API growth targets, 14 schools have exceeded the state’s API growth target of 800, five of the district’s seven Program Improvement Schools exceeded their growth targets, while 16 schools showed double digit growth in their API scores. These include Aloha, 19; Juarez, 21; Bragg, 13; Cerritos Elementary, 16; Carver ,40; Melbourne, 22; Hawaiian, 33; Gonsalves, 14; Niemes, 30; Palms, 26; Elliot, 32; Carmentia, 38; Ross, 30; Artesia, 38; Cerritos High, 16; and Gahr, 11.