Teacher Workshops in Writing Planned : SIMI VALLEY

In an effort to boost lagging test scores, Simi Valley school officials said Wednesday that teacher workshops on writing will be conducted at every level throughout the district.

Eighth-grade students scored lower recently on the California Assessment Program writing test than in previous years, according to information recently analyzed by school officials.

In the 1989-90 school year, students averaged 269 on the test, placing the Simi Valley Unified School District in the 59th percentile statewide. That compared to a 280 (74th percentile) in 1988-89, a 276 (68th percentile) in 1987-88 and a 249 in 1986-87 (50th percentile.)

The county average for 1989-90 was 274, while the state average was 259.

“It’s hard to know if it’s a one-year anomaly,” said Robert Isenberg, director of special programs and testing.

“Unfortunately, we are assessed by the public by our test scores. We want students to do better on the test, but the thrust is to give them skills that will take them through life.”

A committee of educators and administrators representing grades four through 12 will be formed to develop a two- to three-year writing program for teachers, beginning in the fall.

They will include writing workshops, which have been offered in the past, Isenberg said.

Under the CAP test, students have 45 minutes to write an essay in one of a variety of styles, such as an autobiographical incident, biography and speculation about causes or effects.

Writing samples are scored one through six, with a four categorized as “adequate achievement.”