By P. Hedlund and G. Meyer

Very important. Please click to see the pdf of this chart:  California Standards Test (CST) Summary Results (pdf)

The number of local students scoring proficient or advanced on state standardized tests fluctuated this year, with local schools showing both gains and losses over the past year, according to state data from testing completed during 2012.

Pine Mountain Learning Center (PMLC) held steady in the front of the pack compared to other local schools. They excelled, well above Kern County and California statewide scores. Compared to their performance last year, they made gains in English and an impressive 10 point leap forward in math.

Frazier Park School improved in English. They led both Gorman Elementary and Valley Oaks Charter School by 20 points in math proficiency.

El Tejon Middle School dropped 1.5% in English, plunged in math, dropped in history but gained 10 points in science.

Gorman Elementary School District students gained 6 points in English, but dropped in math and collapsed in science. They trailed other local elementary schools.

Valley Oaks Charter students had a slight rise in English and history and a drop in math. They trailed PMLC and Frazier Park School in math.

Frazier Mountain High School (FMHS) progressed in English, but slipped in history and science. The rate of math proficiency is well below state and county averages, with only 13% of their students testing as proficient or advanced in math.

Students of Frazier Park School and PMLC scored above state and county levels in math; other local schools fell below. Still, El Tejon School’s students excelled in science proficiency. These tests show that math proficiency in El Tejon School, Frazier Mountain High School, Valley Oaks and Gorman School all need to be addressed.

A note: Results of the 2012 California Standards Tests show the percentage of students with adequate or superior grasp of the curriculum, according to the state Department of Education. The standardized tests measure how well students comprehend the state content standards by grade level. Students are categorized as either having an advanced, proficient, basic, below basic or far below basic knowledge of the content. This chart shows only proficient and advanced.
 

This is part of the September 07, 2012 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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