NLMUSD Students Improve in All Areas of STAR Exams

Test scores show steady improvement at District

A larger percentage of Norwalk-La Mirada students scored proficient or higher on the 2013 Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program over last year despite a statewide decrease, according to data released Thursday by the California Department of Education.

For the second year in a row, NLMUSD student scores improved over the previous year in all areas tested – English-language arts, history, math and science. Each spring, students statewide from the second- to 11th-grade take the STAR exams, which measure how well schools and students are performing. Teachers and parents also use the results to improve instruction and performance.

“We have a 92 percent graduation rate, an overwhelming number of students continuing their education after high school and we even have students attending prestigious Ivy League universities,” said Superintendent Dr. Ruth Pérez. “These latest STAR numbers prove we are on the right track in educating the youth of this fantastic community.”

Students can attain one of five levels of performance for each subject tested: advanced, proficient, basic, below basic and far below basic. The CDE established the proficient level as the desired achievement goal as it shows students’ competency and understanding of the materials. The proficient level is also consistent with growth-rate targets that satisfy the state accountability requirements, as well as the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

The following percentage of NLMUSD students scored proficient or advanced in the following subjects:

44.1 percent in history, up from 41.3 percent in 2012 and 41.1 in 2011;

48.3 percent in math, up from 46.7 percent in 2012 and 46 percent in 2011;

55.6 percent in English-language arts, up from 55.4 in 2012 and 52.1 in 2011;

55.7 percent in the California Standardized Tests in science, up from 53 percent in 2012 and 52.2 percent in 2011; and

32.6 percent in end-of-course science, up from 31.9 in 2012 and 31.1 in 2011.

“Our students and instructors continue to improve each year despite the many challenges we’ve faced these past few years due to cuts to education,” said Board President Ed Hengler. “It’s really a testament to the hard work from our faculty, staff, and most importantly, our students.”