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Valley schools perform well in API scores

By Raiza Canelon/Staff Writer/rcanelon@syvnews.com

Led by Ballard Elementary, Santa Ynez Valley schools generally showed improvement in statewide scores compared to last year, according to the 2008 Base Academic Index (API) Report released Thursday by the California Department of Education.

Based on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, the ratings compare an individual school to public schools of the same type, as well as to those with similar demographics.

Similar-school characteristics include average class size, percent of students who are English learners, percent of teachers who hold emergency credentials or are fully credentialed, and student mobility, ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

With scores derived from student performance on standardized tests, the report also provides information about the percentage of schools at or above the statewide API performance target of 800, which all schools are expected to reach by 2013.

The ratings and the API scores do not affect funding to each district, but they enable parents to compare the performance of their children’s schools with those at other California public schools, according to the Department of Education.

Ballard Elementary improved from 900 to 921 in its API scores and had the highest rating in the Valley of 10.

“We are very proud of our scores, and it is definitely a reflection of the hard work of our kids, parents and staff. With a team effort we are fortunate to have the ability to offer extras like music and physical education, which addresses the API needs,” said Superintendent Allan Pelletier.

Santa Ynez Valley Union High School’s API score dropped slightly from 809 in 2007 to 795 this year, but is statewide rating of 9 stayed the same.

“It’s important to realize we are never satisfied with the goals from the previous year and there is always room for improvement. We have an excellent staff and students that constantly rise above our expectations,” said Paul Turnbull, superintendent of the high school.

Buellton Union School District saw improved scores at both Jonata and Oak Valley schools. Jonata went from 818 to 835 with a rating of 8 both years, and Oak Valley went from 843 to 854 while increasing its rating from 8 to 9 this year.

Solvang Elementary rose from 843 to 865 and a rating of 9, from 8 in 2007.

Los Olivos School Dis-trict saw gains in scores for both its schools, though Olive Grove Charter School did not improve its low rating.

Los Olivos Elementary School went from 862 to 881 with a rating of 9 both years, and Olive Grove went from 639 to 661 but stayed at a rating of 3.

Staff writer Natalie Ragus contributed to this story.