STAR test results reveal shortfalls
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com
State school officials voiced concern over a notable disparity between academic achievements of Caucasian and Asian students compared to their Latino and African American counterparts.

But Moorpark school leaders aren't jumping to conclusions as they review the preliminary 2007 Standardized Testing and Reporting program (STAR) results that were released Wednesday.

"It's not easy to analyze these numbers because they haven't all been released yet," said Superintendent Ellen Smith, adding that more specifics will be available when the Growth Academic Performance Index is released later this month.

The Moorpark School District always strives to fill the gaps and serve the individual needs of all students, said Ruby Delery assistant principal at Moorpark High School.

STAR scores show that 43 percent of students in the state scored proficiently or better in language arts, up 1 percent from last year. Figures remained at 41 percent for math. In Ventura County 51 percent of students scored proficient or above in English and almost 45 percent did the same in math.

Sixty one percent of Moorpark students scored proficient or advanced in English and 51 percent in math.

Moorpark students continue to improve at all levels and the district aims to challenge all students by keeping the achievement targets moving up and working to close the gap. "It's a long process," Smith said.

State data shows that all student subgroup populations in the state have continued to improve since 2003 but the achievement gap between whites and blacks or Latinos remain relatively unchanged, said State Superintendent of Instruction Jack O'Connell.

"This year's test results put a glaring spotlight on achievement gaps," he said.

African-American and Hispanic students who are not poor are achieving at lower levels in math than their white counterparts who are poor.

Statewide, 56 percent of whites and 76 percent of Asian Americans score at proficient or above in math while 30 percent of African Americans and Hispanic students did the same.

The disparity remains virtually unchanged since the current introduction of tests five years ago. "These are racial achievement gaps and they must be addressed. They can't be excused," said O'Connell.

Schools must do something to remediate the disparities. It's a moral and economic imperative because minorities are the fastest growing subgroup in state, the state superintendent said.

"We know all children can learn to the same high levels, so we must confront and change those things that are holding back groups of students," said O'Connell.

Statistics showing subpopulation breakdowns for Moorpark were not available, but progress is being made here.

About 30 percent of Moorpark's students are Latino and many of them go to college. "They've been graduating at a higher rate because they see the importance of school," said Delery.

Parents must be involved in the education process to help children succeed. "School is like a threelegged stool. Parents and school staff must work together to educate the students," she said.

Academic performance is also linguistic because English is a second language for many Latino students in elementary school, said Linda Bowe, principal at Campus Canyon Elementary School.

"These students can't do well in an English test because it takes a few years for them to become proficient in the language," she said, noting that not all Latino student students are English learners. Many of them are fluent in both English and Spanish which is an asset to them in the long term.

Both Bowe and Delery indicated that ethnicity doesn't seem to be a major factor in the achievement gap in Moorpark.

Parents will receive STAR testscores for their children in the mail within the next few weeks. District and school scores are also available at ww.cde.ca.gov.