Students shine in state scores

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

away, the students and teachers in Newport-Mesa never cease to shine,

amazing all.

Newport-Mesa high school students performed better than the state

and county average on this year’s exit exam. Districtwide, 85% of

students passed the 2004 California High School Exit Examination’s

math and English language arts sections. Corona del Mar High School

had 98% of its students pass the exit exam -- the most of any

district school.

The determined and dedicated teachers and intelligent and

hard-working students continue to make Newport-Mesa 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.

Newport-Mesa students also 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.

But there is room for improvement. In Algebra I at Corona del Mar

High School, 39% of freshmen scored at proficient levels or higher in

2003, but only 11% did in 2004.

In 2003, 68% of sophomores tested as proficient in that class.

This year, none did.

While the percentage of students scoring as proficient fell in

some areas, 100% proficiency is the goal.

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

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.