FEWER SIMI SCHOOLS HIT API GOALS ACADEMIC INDEX DROP MIRRORS STATE TREND.

Byline: Angie Valencia-Martinez Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - Mirroring a statewide trend, fewer Simi Valley schools met or surpassed state-mandated Academic Performance Index targets compared with last year, according to California Department of Education test results released this past week.

In all, 64 percent of Simi schools met targets for improvement - a sharp decline from the 81 percent that met their goals in 2002-03. Overall, the number of California schools reaching their target also plummeted - from 78 percent to 48 percent.

``Over the last five years, we have seen incredible growth,'' said Becky Wetzel, Simi Valley Unified School District director of elementary education. ``When we started this process, we had no schools at 800. Now we have 12, and one scores over 900.

``We're doing something right. The schools that did not show growth didn't meet it because of one subgroup.''

The API is part of the state accountability system in public schools and is based on students' test scores on the California Standards Test, California Achievement Test and California High School Exit Exam.

The index uses scores ranging from 200 to 1,000 points. The state's goal is 800 or above. Schools are expected to grow by 5 percent each year until they reach the desired benchmark.

Overall, the API score for the Simi district increased 7 points, to 777, this year.

The district's three high schools - Royal, Santa Susana and Simi Valley - all met their targets.

``We are very pleased that all the high schools met all of their targets in all their areas - both schoolwide and subgroup targets,'' said Don Gaudioso, director of secondary education.

``It is very encouraging. There has been a tremendous effort on behalf of all the secondary schools, particularly this year, to really focus on the state standards and to bring home to the students that those are the main focus points in their courses.''

Five schools, or 18 percent, showed gains in API but did not meet the target because of one or more subgroups - otherwise known as the English learners and low-income students.

Four elementary schools met the schoolwide target, but need work in the subgroup target category.

Mountain View Elementary is one of the schools. Despite posting a 9 point gain and reaching the 770 mark, the school did not meet the growth target. Nevertheless, Principal Sherrie Dufresne said the modest gain is a validation that the school is constantly improving.

``It is a good piece of accountability for us to know we have a subgroup that we're not meeting,'' she said. ``We need to observe them more closely to see what we need to do to make a difference.''

Five campuses scored the same or lower and did not meet the growth target.

``I don't see a general decline, some decline in some subgroups,'' Wetzel said. ``When one small group makes you not meet the overall API, it feels like you're getting spanked.''

Vista Fundamental Elementary is the district's leading performer. Despite already being in the exclusive 900-and-over club, the school continues to improve with a one-point gain this year.

Sycamore Elementary made the biggest gain. The school met the state target score with a 30-point jump. Katherine Elementary also joined the ranks with an 8-point increase. Arroyo Elementary climbed 23 points for a score of 815.

This year, the district implemented a new language arts program, which is standards-based. Teachers are required to teach between 2 and 2 1/2 hours a day of language arts.

``It's early to tell,'' school board President Steven Gould said regarding the effectiveness of the program. ``It seems to work good. I think in the years to come it should improve.''

Scores for neighboring Moorpark Unified are not yet available because of erroneous data undergoing corrections.

In Ventura County, 75 percent of school districts posted API growth, said Superintendent of Schools Charles Weis. However, a mere 60 percent of schools met or surpassed their growth targets.

Angie Valencia-Martinez, [phone]

angie.valencia(at)dailynews.com

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API RESULTS

Source: California Department of Education