Partnership for Los Angeles Schools Achieves Best CST Performance to Date
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Strong Improvement in All CST Subject Areas for
Mayor Villaraigosa’s Network of Historically Low Performing Schools
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English, Math, Science, History and CAHSEE
Pass Rate Gains Exceed District Averages
LOS
ANGELES, CA (August 31, 2012) – The Partnership
for Los Angeles Schools today announced that its network of schools saw their
largest increases ever in Math and English proficiency on the California
Standards Test (CST). Proficiency gains
at the Partnership schools exceeded the average gain by the Los Angeles School
District (LAUSD) in all four tested subject areas: English, Math, Science and
History.
“These CST scores represent the best year yet for
the Partnership for LA Schools,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio
Villaraigosa. “We saw improvements in
all core subjects, and substantial gains at most of the schools, though a few
schools still have a ways to go. I am so proud of our Partnership
teachers, principals and students. These scores are a direct result of
the passion and tremendous work ethic they bring to our schools. It is
clear the Partnership is poised for continued success.”
Mayor Villaraigosa launched the Partnership for Los
Angeles Schools in 2007 to focus reform and resources on a set of historically
low performing schools and to help drive change in LAUSD. It is one of the largest public school
turnaround efforts in the nation, serving more than 16,000 low-income students
in 22 schools located in high-need urban neighborhoods across East L.A., Watts,
and South LA.
The number of Partnership students testing proficient
in Math went up 5%, double the LAUSD average gain of 2%, and the number
proficient in English increased 5%, above the LAUSD average increase of 4% last
year. The number of Partnership students
proficient in Science was up 4%, and the number proficient in History was up 3%
compared to average gains by LAUSD of 3% in Science and 2% in History. In addition, the percentage of Partnership
students passing the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) increased 4%
according to the most recent figures, compared to the LAUSD’s 1% average increase.
““Throughout last year, our teachers and principals
focused on improving classroom instruction, bringing technology into their
classrooms and engaging parents at their schools. Their efforts directly
led to strong achievement in many of our schools,” said Marshall Tuck, Chief
Executive Officer at the Partnership. “The
fact that our network of schools had the best year its ever had, in spite of
difficult budget cuts and other obstacles in public education right now, is a
true testament to the potential of our students and the commitment of our
school staff.” said Tuck.
Highlights of the Partnership’s CST performance
were:
- Partnership
elementary schools—where the math blended learning strategy is most fully
implemented—saw an overall increase of 6% in Math scores compared to a
flat District average
- Particularly
strong proficiency gains at the secondary level:
- Jordan
HS, up 8% in English and 6% in Math
- The
Academy of Environmental Social Policy at Roosevelt HS, up 11% in English
and 13% in Science
- Markham
Middle School in Watts, up 8% in each English and Math
- Santee
HS saw gains on all subject areas of the CST
- Strong decrease across the network of schools in the percentage of students scoring Basic or Far Below Basic, the lowest achievement bands of the CST
“We have established solid momentum this year in
achieving our goal of transforming our schools as evidenced by these results,”
said Colleen Oliver, Chief Academic Officer at the Partnership. “Key to our success has been the consistent
and persistent laser-like focus of our administrators and teachers in
implementing our key strategies throughout our schools. Our teachers and administrators are the
backbone of our work and we are grateful for their passion and commitment. We wouldn’t be celebrating our progress today
without their hard work.”
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About the Partnership
The Partnership for Los Angeles
Schools strives to uplift children in the city’s poorest communities by
transforming their local public school into a safe and secure place of
opportunity, achievement and discovery. In
terms of students served, the Partnership is one of the largest public school
turnaround organizations in the nation.
To learn more and get involved, go to www.partnershipla.org
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