Testing and Accountability

October 11, 2019

For better insights into California's new test results, look at achievement over time

Analytical tools that are available but not used can help schools better understand how to improve student performance.

David Wakelyn

October 9, 2019

Slow growth, big disparities after 5 years of Smarter Balanced tests

Average scores have been rising in English language arts, but dropping in math as students progress through middle and high school — a cause for worry.

John Fensterwald And Daniel J. Willis

Commentary

October 9, 2019

What will it take to make headway on student achievement?

State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond says that key priorities, among other things, should be improving teacher preparedness and qualifications and building a more diverse teaching force in California.

Linda Darling-Hammond

Commentary

July 10, 2019

Making the case for college admissions tests

The ACT and SAT provide many valuable benefits to both students and schools, proponents say.

Yoon Choi, Cynthia Schmeiser and Wayne Camara

July 8, 2019

California may create 5th year high school graduation rate

The new rate will credit districts for helping non-graduating seniors to earn a diploma the next year. It would be combined with the 4-year grad rate on the School Dashboard.

John Fensterwald

State Education Policy

July 5, 2019

Fifty years after desegregation, wide racial and ethnic achievement gaps persist in Berkeley

Berkeley’s 2020 Vision initiative was supposed to eliminate achievement gaps for the entering kindergarten class in 2007 but a year from its target date, it is clear that it still has a long way to go in reaching its ambitious goals.

Louis Freedberg

Testing and Accountability

June 6, 2019

Students in California log on in record numbers to take online state tests

At least 92 percent of students have access to the minimum internet speed needed, but some districts have to stagger test-takers to avoid glitches.

Sydney Johnson

May 26, 2019

Don’t use the SAT or ACT to undermine education accountability

College admissions tests rank students on a curve rather than measuring how well they are meeting state standards and are weaker predictors of college performance than high-school grades.

Pamela Burdman and Christopher Edley, Jr.

February 18, 2019

California students may not be ready for new science test

Although students will begin taking the California Science Test in March, most school districts have yet to approve textbooks or materials aligned to the new standards adopted six years ago by the State Board of Education. Still, federal law is requiring California to begin testing this year.

Diana Lambert

January 9, 2019

School districts will be required to verify they’re fixing California’s lowest-performing schools

The Every Student Succeeds Act requires states to identify and improve student achievement in the lowest-performing 5 percent of schools. Districts with those schools will explain how in a new section of their Local Control and Accountability Plans.

John Fensterwald

October 2, 2018

Small rise in California’s math and reading scores in 2018

There are signs of "encouragement" and "distress" in implementing the Common Core standards after four years of Smarter Balanced testing. There is also a dilemma: 11th-grade results.

John Fensterwald

September 30, 2018

Gov. Brown vetoes bill to let districts give SAT or ACT as 11th grade test

Dozens of districts are offering the tests at their own expense already, because scores on SAT and ACT, not Smarter Balanced, are what matters to high school juniors.