It looks like Orange County is just getting smarter and smarter – or should I say, “becoming far more intelligent”? Whatever the most intellectual response is, the newly released 2010 STAR testing results have shown a major improvement from previous years.
The percentage of students that scored Proficient or Advanced in English-Language Arts (ELA) have remained the same or increased in the last year for grades 3 to 11. The largest improvements, however, have been shown in grades 8 and 9. In Mathematics, grades 3 to 7 had major increases in test scores, but the highest were found in grades 5 and 6. The only grade that appeared to have a decrease was grade 2.
Sciences test scores have also risen – for the fourth year in a row! Grades 5 (increased by 5 percentage-points), 8 (2 percentage-points) and 10 (1 percentage point) showed signs of major improvement in the subject.
Despite slight decreases here and there, it is evident that our county’s education is only getting better!
“I am pleased to see progress with academic achievement in Orange County even during challenging budget times,” says William M. Habermehl, Orange County Superintendent of Schools, “This is a testament to the hard work of our teachers, support staff, administrators, and school boards who are dedicated to making sure student performance continues to rise.
“In addition, I want to congratulate our students and their parents who must be working extra hard to support them while schools struggle with staff reductions, larger class sizes, and the elimination of key programs and services,” Habermehl continues. “There is great concern in the education community that we will not continue to see the yearly improvements with test scores if our state budget issues are not resolved in a timely manner. Adequate funding for our schools is an important long term investment in the future workforce that will support the economic engine of California for years to come.”
Managing Editor Susan Belknapp's conversation with Superintendent Habermehl:
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