Birmingham reports gains on state tests; English and science scores improve
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Summary
District staff reported gains on the California Science Test (CAST) and Smarter Balanced assessments for the 11th grade cohort, with notable scaled‑score increases in English language arts and smaller gains in math; staff said the results will feed the state accountability dashboard later in the year.
District leaders presented preliminary statewide assessment results showing improvements in English language arts and science for the relevant cohorts, and modest gains in mathematics.
Presenters said 36% of students met or exceeded standards on the California Science Test (CAST), up from 21% the prior year, and the CAST scaled score rose to 607 from 599. For English language arts (Smarter Balanced/ELA), the district’s scaled score rose by 23 points, moving the district into a higher performance band on the state metrics; the presentation said student ownership of learning was a factor identified in post‑test surveys.
Math showed a nine‑point scaled‑score increase (the second consecutive year with a nine‑point gain), with the staff noting movement of students out of the lowest achievement band into higher performance levels. Presenters said the full subgroup and demographic breakdowns that feed the California Dashboard will be available in the coming months and the dashboard itself will be published later in the year.
Board members asked for more detailed subgroup reporting when it becomes available; staff said they will provide a demographic breakdown and follow up as detailed results are released by the state.