San Leandro Students Improve Test Scores, Still Lag Behind State

San Leandro students continue to lag behind the rest of the state and the region in standardizing testing, but showed moderate progress from last year in all tested categories, according to STAR results released Monday.

In Alameda County, where 162,410 students were tested, scores were were better than the state averages, with 60 percent proficient or better in language and 55 percent proficient or better in math.

Throughout the East Bay, scores were nearly equivalent to state averages, with 54 percent testing proficient or better in English-language arts and 50 percent proficient or better in math, according to figures released Monday by the California Department of Education.

First graders and high school seniors are excluded from the testing. Nearly 6,200 students in San Leandro Unified School district, from second grade to 11th grade were, tested in various academic categories.

They are ranked in the following levels: far below basic, below basic, basic, proficient or advanced.

All levels were tested in English-Language Arts. Second graders to seventh graders take the math test. Fifth, eighth and 11th graders are tested in science. Students from eighth grade to 11th grade are tested in history.

Statewide, about half of all tested students scored at least proficient in any given topic. Scores were generally better in science, in which 57 percent of students scored proficient or better.

Science was San Leandro's strongest subject, with 53.1 percent achieving proficiency or better, the smallest discrepancy between the district and the state scores in a subject.

The largest discrepancy between the state average and San Leandro students came in math, where 36.4 percent of San Leandro students scored proficient or better — 14 percent below the state average.

While San Leandro students trail the state average in every tested category, proficiency ratings improved by 1 to 3 percent across the board.

Racial, economic achievement gap

Though overall test scores increased, an achievement gap remains.

Black and Latino students continue to lag behind their white and Asian peers. Students from poor families or those who speak English as a second language also struggle to keep up, numbers show.

STAR scores are used to come up with schools' Academic Performance Index and Adequate Yearly Progress report. Dropout and exit exam rates also factor into the API and AYP assessments.

Check out the school district's overall performance in the STAR testing and how the district performed by grade level.