Schools post gains in English and math on state tests

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell goes over charts related to the results of the 2009 Standardized Testing and Reporting Program. (Andy Holzman / Staff Photographer)

Nearly all school districts in the San
Gabriel Valley made gains in English and math scores on state tests,
according to data released Tuesday by the California Department of
Education.

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Valley
students in grades two through 11 posted scores slightly above the
state average in the 2009 Standardized Testing and Reporting Program.

Just under 51 percent of students across 14 school
districts were at least proficient in English-language arts, up from
about 46 percent last year. About 48 percent of Valley students were
proficient in math, an increase from 45.5 percent last year.

Statewide, 50 percent scored proficient or advanced in English-language arts, an increase from 46 percent last year.

In math, 46 percent of students scored at the proficient or advanced level, up from 43 percent in 2008.

“I
am pleased and encouraged to see that for the seventh year in a row,
California public school students continue to improve,” said State
Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell in a written
statement.

Walnut Valley Unified had the highest scores in the region.
Just under 77 percent of students were proficient or above in English
and about 73 were proficient or above in math.

The region’s largest school district, Hacienda La Puente, had increases in English, 50.2 percent, and math, 43.4 percent.

The rest of the school districts posted modest gains, although a few were still below the state average.

Read the whole story in the Hacienda, Rowland and Walnut Highlanders.