Glendora STAR Test Scores Show Gains

Despite statewide school budget cuts, Glendora students scored well in the annual statewide STAR tests, according to 2011 test results released Monday.

The results showed students in the Glendora Unified and Charter Oak Unified school districts either meeting or exceeding the statewide average of advanced or proficiency levels in English-language arts and math.

Statewide, students showed marked growth in the STAR – Standardized Testing and Reporting—tests, which measures grades 2 through 11 in English–language arts, mathematics, science, and history–social science.

According to the data, 54 percent of the 4.7 million California students who took part in the tests scored “proficient “or above in English-language arts and 50 percent scored “proficient” or above in mathematics, the highest percentage since the program began in 2003.

"The significant and sustained improvements we've seen for nine consecutive years prove how hard teachers, school employees, administrators, and parents are working to help students achieve despite budget cuts that have affected our schools," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said.

The STAR results identified five levels of performance in each subject tested: advanced, proficient, basic, below basic and far below basic.

The “proficient” level has been established by the State Board of Education as the desired level for all students.

About 73 percent of Glendora Unified students scored “proficient” or above in English-language arts, with 39 percent scoring in the “advanced” range. In math, which tested grades 2 through 7, about 78 percent of students scored “proficient” or above. The numbers reflect an improvement over last year’s scores, where 69 percent and 78 percent of students scored “proficient” or above in English-language arts and math, respectively.

About 54 percent of Charter Oak students scored “proficient” or above in English-language arts, reflecting a slight decrease in performance from the previous year’s 56 percent in that area. In math, 61 percent scored “proficient” or above, roughly the same percentage of students as the previous year.

Visit the California Department of Education Web site, to view 2011 STAR testing results.