Good, but we can do better

No matter what demands are made, no matter how much funding is taken

away, the students and teachers in Huntington Beach never cease to

shine, amazing all.

Surf City students scored higher on the Standardized Testing and

Reporting program than many of their counterparts across the state

and county in the spring. They also outscored themselves -- raising

the bar from 2003.

The state scores the standardized tests on a five-level system,

with advanced being the highest, followed by proficient, basic, below

basic and far below basic. The federal No Child Left Behind Act

requires all students to score proficient or above by 2014.

We are well on our way.

More students, in all grade levels, in the Huntington Beach City

and Ocean View school districts were classified as proficient or

advanced in English, basic math, algebra 1, history and science.

Let’s keep that positive trend going until we hit 100%.

More Huntington Beach High School students also passed the 2004

California High School Exit Examination’s math and English language

arts sections than in 2003. This year, 89% of the students passed the

math portion as compared to 66% last year, and 88% passed the English

portion, up from 81% in 2003.

The determined and dedicated teachers and intelligent and

hard-working students continue to make Surf City’s schools among the

best in Orange County and California. They continue to meet changing

demands and have successfully raised the bar, ending the social

promotion of years ago and showing what they are made of.

But there is room for improvement. While the percentage of

students scoring as proficient fell in some areas, 100% proficiency is the goal.

As a community we must continue to do all we can to ensure that

forward momentum continues. We must challenge students to push

themselves. We must support their dreams, offer encouragement and

protect city programs that provide them places to further their

education.

We should also fight for state programs that foster learning, such

as class size reduction. The students’ future is also the future of

the community.