Upon entering the school library for their weekly meeting, the Happy Valley Primary School staff was surprised by balloons, a cake and a huge "Congratulations" sign. Members of the school board were also present adding to the mystery of this apparent celebration.
The suspense finally ended when Principal Kellie Dunham announced the school's Academic Performance Index (API) ranking.
For the first time, the primary school's aggregate test scores had exceeded the statewide target of 800, a goal that had been evading the school in the past.
Students who took the test last year had achieved a combined test score of 818, an increase of 50 points from the previous year's score. Every year, students in second, third and fourth grades take the STAR test, a California state tool for measuring student proficiency.
Happy Valley Primary showed the second most dramatic jump in language arts in all of Shasta County - an increase of 15.4 percent! Math scores also showed significant improvement.
The principal's announcement was followed by excited cheers, hugs and applause. Dunham credits a number of changes made during the past few years to student success. For example having one minimum day per week to allow teachers to meet and discuss students needs.
The First 5 Shasta School Readiness Program prepares pre-schoolers for kindergarten. Also for 45 minutes each day children meet for small group instruction aimed at individual need.
"Most of all," according to Dunham, "is the team effort displayed by the entire staff. After congratulating everyone on their success, she added, This score is a validation of how hard we are all working."
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 0
Be the first to post a comment!
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.