Base API scores coming next week The...

Base API scores coming next week

The California Department of Education is scheduled to release

scores for the 2003 Base Academic Performance Index on Tuesday.

The index is the state’s tool to determine whether California

schools and districts are meeting educational standards. The score is

calculated from the results of standardized tests taken by students.

The 2003 base index has been modified from previous scores to include

the results of a science test taken by high school students and a

test taken by students with severe learning disabilities.

The target score for all California schools is 800, out of a

maximum 1,000. The base index is used by districts to set targets

toward improving scores to 800. After the beginning of the 2004-05

school year, a Growth Academic Performance Index score will be

released showing how well schools perform on standardized tests taken

this spring.

Schools are compared with other schools and ranked from 1 to 10,

with 10 being the highest score. Schools receive two rankings, one

based on performance compared with all California schools and a

second based on how well the scores compare with similar schools.

In general, Huntington Beach schools received high marks in the

last batch of scores released. The Huntington Beach City School

District as a whole exceeded state standards, receiving a score of

815. Ocean View School District scored a 790 and the Huntington Beach

Union High School District gained 14 points from its previous score

with a 720.