Las Virgenes demonstrates high student proficiency

Las Virgenes Unified School District continues to rank among the highest achieving districts in California, according to the 2008 Accountability Progress Report (API) released by the state on Sept. 4.

The API is based on a scale from 200 to 1,000 and is calculated by how well students perform on California standards testing in English/language arts, mathematics, history/social science and science. The STAR (Standardized Testing And Reporting) exams are administered each year to all students in California.

All Las Virgenes schools scored above the state's benchmark of 800, and six schools scored above 900. All schools met their annual yearly progress targets, another measure of success.

Overall, the district scored 876, an increase of four points over last year.

Superintendent Donald Zimring attributed the top scores to "in-depth, comprehensive programs at all grades." He said the district has embraced "researchbased strategies and programs for underachieving students."

Mary Schillinger, the district's assistant superintendent of education, said students have been successful in Las Virgenes because of innovative programs that stress critical thinking and "application-based curriculum across all grade levels."

White Oak Elementary School in Westlake Village scored 944 on this year's API report card, the highest score in the district.

The Community Learning Center, an alternative elementary school that was relocated to Sumac Elementary School this year, earned an API score of 856, a significant achievement for any school but particularly impressive for a two-year-old school, said Jeff Lough, the school's coordinator.

"The relationship-based classroom focus at the CLC leads to increased motivation for learning concepts in a hand's-on learning environment," Lough said. "This in turn leads to high student achievement and a genuine enjoyment in the learning process."

Rose Dunn, director of elementary education, said the district looks at "fluctuations in scores and other assessment data to identify deficit areas, particularly for those students that have yet to reach proficiency."

Elementary schools, she said, will implement a "Response to Intervention" plan, which will identify specific intervention strategies for students who are not proficient in a subject area, Dunn said. "Matching a specific, research-based, remedial program to each student's unique needs is the key to success," she said. "Students' scores on the statewide assessment become the starting point for determining the components of each intervention plan."

Tom Spence, the new principal at Round Meadow Elementary School in Hidden Hills, said his school's success on the standardized tests can be attributed to a "winning combination" of teachers, administrators, students and parents.

Ron Kaiser, principal of Lindero Canyon Middle School, was pleased with this year's test scores. The school scored 893, a jump of eight points from 2007.

"Each year teachers ensure that curriculum is better aligned with state content standards," Kaiser said. "Emphasis is placed on helping students move from basic to proficient."

At A.C. Stelle Middle School in Calabasas, Principal Mary Sistrunk credits afterschool tutoring classes and a new computer program to the school's score of 898 this year. The score represents an increase of 11 points over last year.

High school students tutored students in algebra and algebra honors after school, Sistrunk said. The use of the computer program "Success Maker" in language arts and math was also instrumental in helping students, including special education students, learn.

"It was great to have this tool, and it did make a difference," Sistrunk said.

Agoura and Calabasas high schools continue to excel in all academic areas. With scores of 839 and 842, respectively, both high schools rank in the top percentile statewide for schools of their size.

"We have a very talented staff that stress rigor and relevance in all academic areas, said Agoura High Principal Larry Misel. "Each department meets and analyzes what the STAR results mean and how this will influence the pacing and instruction for the school year."

Both high schools use the diagnostic information they gain from their STAR scores to develop department goals and intervention plans, Misel said.

New Calabasas High Principal C.J. Foss is already working on plans for improvement.

"We will begin an aggressive 2008-09 campaign focused on improving scores of students designated as below basic /far below basic on the California Standards Tests in English language arts and mathematics," Foss said.

"Each student in these categories will be assigned a mentor/adviser who will meet with them to devise a plan to improve their skills in specific areas of need," Foss said.

Calabasas was named a top 25 Los Angeles County public high school in a recent article by Los Angeles Magazine.

Jim Nielsen, the distric's director of secondary education, credited excellent school leadership and departmental collaboration for the high API scores in the secondary schools.

For a summary of results, see www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ap/ apireports.asp.