Schools

San Diego Unified Schools Improve in Math and English Test Scores

The tests were given to students in grades 4 and 8, including at Bird Rock Elementary, La Jolla Elementary, Torrey Pines Elementary and Muirlands Middle School.

Students in the San Diego Unified School District showed progress in standardized English and math tests, according to results released by the U.S. Department of Education Wednesday.

The tests were given to students in grades 4 and 8. SDUSD fourth-grade students scored the same in math as the national average and slightly higher than the average in large, urban districts -- those in cities with a population of 250,000 or more.

SDUSD students scored an average of 241 in math, up 15 points from 2003. The big, urban school district average was 235, up 11 points. Only students in Austin, Texas and Charlotte, N.C., did better.

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In San Diego, 42 percent of fourth-graders were "proficient" or better in math, up 22 points over the the past decade. The national average for fourth-grade proficiency in math is 41 percent, while the big, urban school district rate is 33 percent.

SDUSD Superintendent Cindy Marten said the results are good benchmark data that will enable the district to grade itself compared to other cities and enact reforms where needed.

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"Our culture of innovation, excellence, and creativity has allowed teachers to concentrate on student achievement, giving San Diego Unified a consistent spot near the top," said Marten. "As we transition to the new Common Core state standards, our focus is on increasing rigor, pacing, and engagement as we challenge ourselves to come up with new ways to address the persistent achievement gap and achievement in grade eight math."

San Diego eighth-graders averaged 277 in math, below the national average of 284 and a tick above the 276 for big, urban districts. The score was up 13 points from 10 years ago, while the big city average climbed 14 points during that time.

In San Diego, 31 percent of eighth graders were proficient or better in math, 13 points higher than 2003. The national average is 34 percent, and the big, urban district rate is 27 percent.

San Diego fourth-graders averaged 218 in English, 10 points higher than in 2003. The national average is 221, and the big, urban district average is 212.

The percentage of fourth-graders proficient or better in English jumped from 51 percent in 2003 to 64 percent this year. The national average is 67 percent, and the big, urban district average is 57 percent.

Eighth-graders averaged 260 in English, up 10 points from 2003. That compares to a national average of 266 and a big, urban school district average of 258.

Proficiency in eighth-grade English, while low, improved. A third of SDUSD students were proficient or better, compared to 22 percent a decade ago. The national rate was 34 percent, and the big, urban district rate was 26 percent.

—City News Service


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