“Congratulations to the students, parents and staff,” Supt. Kevin Jolly said. “Because they worked together as a team under the guidance of Principal Anita Schackmann, students have reached new heights of academic achievement.”
The API measures academic proficiency in a single figure between 200 and 1,000. The exams are used by state and federal governments to ensure students are mastering various subjects. The scores are derived from the Standardized Testing and Reporting program, a series of examinations that last five school days.
“It doesn’t tell the whole story, but it’s a piece of it, and it’s how we’re held accountable,” Schackmann said. “It’s about meeting the needs of our students.”
Standardized test results are oftentimes marked by stagnant progress from minorities, English learners, those with disabilities and low-income students.
But all demographics reached their goals for 2008-09 at Luther Burbank and throughout the district.
“All the parts are moving in the same direction,” said Rebecca Mieliwocki, a seventh-grade English teacher. “We have all the resources and technology we need, we have more data than ever before, so we know who’s in front of us and can target each student to pull them in, and we’ve done that all in the middle of a budget crisis.”
Students huddled in clusters, some just watching classmates stroll down the aisle, others taking multiple trips, and all smiling and laughing.
“It makes me feel accomplished,” said Bryana Chanta, an eighth-grader. “It’s very exciting, and everyone is cheerful.”
About three dozen teachers, staff and parents flanked the red carpet, offering high-fives and shout-outs.
