Bella Vista Makes Gains in Standardized Testing

Slightly improved standardized testing scores posted by marked the sixth year in a row students met the statewide testing mark; however, it was the only Fair Oaks high school to do so, according to figures released Wednesday.

The figures show the Academic Performance Index (API) of Bella Vista topping the 800 point state goal by 37 points, a five point improvement from last year's test scores.

However, fellow Fair Oaks high school would not fair so well. The school posted API test scores of 731, more than 60 points below statewide goals and a 9 point decline compared to 2010 test scores. Moreover, the school has yet to meet the statewide goal since the scoring system's creation in 1999.

According to criteria the California Department of Education uses to compare similar schools, including socioeconomics, students with disabilities and demography, Bella Vista ranked in the 90th percentile statewide while compared to 100 similar schools it ranked in the 30th percentile. Alternatively, Del Campo was about dead-center statewide, ranking in the 50th percentile while 90 percent of similar schools outranked it. 

The figures released Wednesday by the California Department of Education also measure the proficiency of students in English and language arts, as well as math. In those categories, Bella Vista met all goals in each categories. Del Campo was unable to meet the goals in either category.

Check back with Fair Oaks Patch to read about test scores at Andrew Carnegie and Will Rogers middle schools and Harry Dewey, Earl Legette and Twin Lakes elementary schools.