Pleasanton Schools Rank High According to State API Reports

Pleasanton schools received high statewide rankings for 2009, according to a report released Thursday by the California Department of Education.

Rankings are based upon the state's 2009 Base Academic Performance Index (API) Report, a report that is calculated by the results of last year's standardized test scores.

Schools are ranked between one and 10 and the base API is separated into three categories: elementary, middle and high schools.

State Superintendent Jack O'Connell stated that it must be noted that there will always be schools that rank one and schools that rank 10 because ranks are established by deciles, according to a press release.

In Pleasanton, Alisal and Lydisken elementary schools received a nine for the 2009 statewide rankings. All other schools in the district ranked 10.

The school rankings in Pleasanton against similar schools ranged between two and 8. In 2008, the lowest similar schools ranking was measured at one. The similar schools ranking is determined to be similar in comparison by school, student and teacher characteristics, according to a press release.

The report also included the Base API for each school, which is essential in for the state's accountability system. Each school's Base API is calculated from results from the previous year's standardized tests, which include the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) and the California High School Exit Examination.

The API is measured on a scale that ranges between a low of 200 and a high of 1000, according to the state Department of Education's website. A score of 800 is considered proficient.

Pleasanton Unified School District's 2009 Base API is set at 901. Each school except Village High – the district's alternative school – has a Base API measuring more than the statewide exemplary.  

Pleasanton elementary schools had base APIs ranging between 886 and 961 and middle schools ranged were set from the high 800s to low 900s. The two comprehensive high school base APIs were set in the high 800s. Village High School is reported to be at 629.

The Base API will be compared with the state's 2010 Growth API Reports, which are slated to be released in August. The comparison between the growth API and the base API must show a minimum of a five-percent growth in order for it to reach the accountability growth target set by the state.