Most San Bruno Schools Lost Ground on Test Performance in 2013

Written by Alex Gronke and Bea Karnes

Six of the eight elementary and middle schools in San Bruno Park School District lost ground on the 2013 Academic Performance Index (API) tests, according to results issued Thursday by state school chief Tom Torlakson.

Portola Elementary School continues to be the shining star of the district, raising its score to an astounding 929, up from 919. John Muir Elementary’s score was flat. All others in SBPSD declined.

Capuchino High School, in San Mateo Union High School District, turned in a stellar performance, increasing 25 points in a single year.

 Here are the API results:

• Allen Elementary: declined from 826 in 2012 to 823 in 2013
• Belle Elementary: declined from 812 in 2012 to 791 2013
• Crestmoor Elementary: declined from 849 in 2012 to 842 in 2013
• El Crystal Elementary: declined from 870 in 2012 to 838 in 2013
• John Muir Elementary: held steady at 897 from 2012 to 2013
• Portola Elementary: increased from 919 in 2012 to 929 in 2013
• Rollingwood Elementary: declined from 807 in 2012 to 794 2013
• Parkside Intermediate: declined from 797 to 785

The API is a score ranging from 200 to 1,000 that measures how well students do on a variety of tests, including the California Standards Test and the state’s high school exit exam. The state has set 800 as the API target for all schools to meet. Here’s a detailed summary of the API from the California Department of Education.

Statewide, the number of California schools meeting the state target for student performance on standardized tests dropped by 2 percent.

In 2013, 51 percent of the state’s schools earned an Academic Performance Index score of 800 or above, compared to 53 percent the previous year.

Based on 2013 test scores, 56 percent of elementary schools, 50 percent of middle schools, and 31 percent of high schools are now at or above the 800 mark.

In the last decade, the number of schools meeting the target of an 800 API has increased by 30 percent.

The state’s overall API dropped two points to 789 from 791, but Torlakson was quick to note that the statewide API for poor students and students learning English increased five points and one point, respectively.