August 20, 2004

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Palo Alto Online

Palo Alto students shine bright on STAR

Alexandria Rocha

Amanda Mullen, 16, isn't sure how much her scores really matter on the annual state standardized tests.

"We don't get a grade. It's not like the SAT's where there's lots of motivation," said the Palo Alto High School senior. "It's not like anyone's trying to get all the answers right."

Mullen's nonchalance toward the assessment test is similar to many Palo Alto students' attitudes. Locally, students score above and beyond the state's expectations from year to year, which in turn leaves them shrugging their shoulders around test time and again when the scores are released.

"I think (the tests) might be accurate where the system is really sad," said Paly junior Jonathan Steinman, who served as a Weekly editorial intern this summer. "Testing is the only way to gauge things, but it seems like everything on the federal and state tests is below our level."

Results released earlier this week from last year's standardized tests revealed that Palo Alto's public school students improved their scores in most areas, with minor dips in high-school math and science. About 85 percent of students in grades two through 11 also scored above the 50th percentile, or above average, on the national exam.

Standardized testing is "probably not that good of a measure as far as curriculum and what we're doing in schools," said Bill Garrison, director of testing and assessment for the Palo Alto Unified School District, "because our curricula are much broader and deeper than just basic skills in reading and math."

Scores from the California High School Exit Exam were also released this week, with 96 percent of students from Palo Alto and Gunn high schools passing the exam.

The Standardized Testing and Reporting program, commonly referred to as STAR, combines data from the curriculum-based California Standards Test (CST), as well as the California Achievement Test (CAT-6), which compares the state's children with those around the nation.

The CST, which assesses students on the subjects they learn at each grade level, ranks them in one of five categories -- advanced, proficient, basic, below basic and far below basic.

The state expects students to rank at proficient, which is considered "on grade level." In most subjects, about 80 percent of Palo Alto students in grades two to 11 tested at proficient or advanced.

Scores increased from last year and more students scored at the advanced level. However, high-school students' scores in math and science suffered.

In biology, 28 percent of students in grades nine through 11 scored below proficient. Only 23 percent had scored below proficient the prior year.

Scores also went down marginally in algebra one, geometry and chemistry.

Garrison said when STAR results fluctuate by a hairline, it generally opens up discussion among district staff. The next step is to find out from which specific classes and students the scores are coming.

"We are looking at each individual student's score. If they're not passing the test or are not where they need to be, we are looking at a program for them," said Cathy Kroymann, president of the district's Board of Education.

STAR results are also used to calculate a school's Academic Yearly Progress report. That report includes the Academic Performance Index -- the state's way of tracking school progress -- which will be released Aug. 31.

The state's performance target rests at an API score of 800, which Palo Alto's public schools exceeded a number of years ago. "We don't have to worry so much about test scores. We don't have the state accountability model coming down on us because of low test scores. We're able to focus on our adopted curriculum," Garrison said.

Teachers and principals do keep an eye on the test scores, but it doesn't affect day-to-day classroom instruction, save for some rescheduling during test time.

Last year was Katie McCutchen's first year teaching. She taught sixth-grade English and social studies at JLS Middle School. She didn't base her curriculum around the tests and doesn't plan to.

"It's one way to find out how students are doing. If it's the only way it's not good," she said. Staff Writer Alexandria Rocha can be e-mailed at arocha@paweekly.com.

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