72% OF LAUSD MEETS API GOALS YOUNGEST PUPILS GET TEST INDEX'S BEST SCORES.

Byline: Helen Gao Staff Writer

Seventy-two percent of schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District met or exceeded their target scores on the state's Academic Performance Index, with elementary schools again outperforming middle and high schools.

Districtwide, 86 percent of elementary schools hit their targets, but only a quarter of middle schools and 14 percent of high schools made such progress.

In the San Fernando Valley, 75 percent of all schools met their targets, compared with 53 percent statewide.

Superintendent Roy Romer pointed to the scores as evidence of the success of reforms, particularly in elementary schools. He recently acknowledged the continuing problem of lower achievement among older students by initiating a program to raise literacy achievement among middle and high school students.

``The scores validate how much progress we are making compared to districts around us and in the state,'' Romer said. ``It's working here. We are really changing this district.''

Of 487 LAUSD schools that achieved their goals, 321 were theoretically eligible for state cash bonuses. But the awards, given to schools that show dramatic improvement on standardized tests, will not materialize this year because of a massive state budget deficit.

The cornerstone of an accountability system for California public schools, the API was established by the state in 1999. Scores range from 200 to 1,000, with the statewide target score set at 800.

Each school is also asked to meet an annual growth target, which is set at 5 percent of the difference between the school's base API and the statewide target of 800.

This year's scores were calculated based on results from the California Standards Test in English-language arts and the Stanford 9 Achievement Test, a basic-skills exam for public school students in grades 2 through 11.

In future years, API scores will be based on additional California Standards Tests and the California High School Exit Exam.

Among Valley schools that showed dramatic improvement, Broadous Elementary in Pacoima jumped a whopping 80 points on the index, well above the school's goal of 19 points.

``We are overwhelmed,'' said Assistant Principal Donald Shroyer. ``This year, we told the kids how important it was for them and their school to progress.''

As standardized tests drew near, the school held pep rallies and students created colorful posters bearing slogans like ``We love Sat 9,'' which were displayed prominently throughout the campus.

The plan worked. The school's API score soared from 421 to 501.

``We likened it to the Lakers and we said, 'Look they don't go out and play without practicing,''' said Shroyer, who attributed the test gains to hard-working students, teachers, and parents who became ``homework partners.''

In neighboring Ventura County, schools boosted their mean API score by 8.7 points to 732.6, but fewer schools met their academic targets this year than last year.

In the Simi Valley Unified School District, 64 percent of schools achieved their target scores compared with 68 percent last year. And in the Conejo Valley Unified School District, 80 percent of schools met their goals compared with 85 percent last year.

Ventura County schools Superintendent Charles Weis said teachers need to do a better job of aligning their curriculum to state standards, which describe knowledge and skills students should learn in each grade and subject.

``I think we could have done much better, and there's a lot of room for improvement. But I am pleased overall,'' said Weis, noting that schools that emphasize standards-based instruction were those that met their targets.

Schools in Burbank and Glendale released their scores earlier this week, with most showing significant gains. Jefferson Elementary in Burbank scored 810 on the index, becoming the first school in the district to meet or exceed the statewide goal of 800. In Glendale, nine schools scored 800 or above.

In Los Angeles Unified, 41 elementary schools scored 800 or higher this year, compared with 32 last year. Of the high-achieving schools, 15 were in the Valley.

Balboa Magnet Elementary in Northridge topped the list, with an API score of 958, up from 954 last year.

While no LAUSD middle or high school met the statewide goal, many made great strides. Mount Gleason Middle School in Sunland scored 606 on the index, up from 543 last year.

``We are so set on reaching our target. We don't mind being an overachiever,'' said Principal John McLauglin, who attributed the school's progress to numerous literacy initiatives and energetic teachers who have aligned their classroom lessons with state standards.

Pacoima Middle School, identified by the state as a low-performing school, also made significant progress, jumping 33 points to 554 on the index this year.

``In the past few years, we have just made our API (goals) by a few points,'' said Principal David Gonzalez. ``This year we had a huge jump. We are hoping this will continue.''

Gonzalez attributed the school's gains to Project GRAD Los Angeles, an early college-outreach program that targets students in elementary through high school, and a highly structured reading program, called Success For All.

The school also used a $430,000-a-year state grant to improve its math program by reorganizing the curriculum and hiring two teachers to reduce class sizes.

And while no traditional Valley high schools were eligible for awards, Valley Alternative Magnet School in Van Nuys made enough progress to be eligible.

The school, which serves students in kindergarten through 12th grade, scored 700 on the index this year, up 36 points from the prior year.

``We were really delighted. I was going to be happy with seven, eight or nine (point increase),'' Principal Terry Morton said. ``When we saw 36, we were very, very excited.''

Staff Writers Kerry Cavanaugh and Grace Lee contributed to this report.

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) Above, Broadous Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Jim Scherrer, front, shows off some of the proud students who helped the school achieve an 80-point API gain. Left, Mount Gleason Middle School teacher Carol Lande emphasizes the sound a letter makes during a word-building session for sixth-graders, who helped the school to a 63-point increase.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer

(3) Mount Gleason sixth-grader Marcus Walker takes notes during a word-building lesson.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer

Box:

API RESULTS

Source: California Department of Education