STAR test results show proficiency continues to climb for California schoolchildren
Published: September 4, 2012
California students continue to improve their math and English scores on state STAR tests administered each spring, this being the ninth straight year proficiency on the Standardized Testing and Reporting exams have shown gains, the California Department of Education announced Friday.
Of 4.7 million students tested in grades 2-11, 57 percent scored proficient or above in English-language arts, with 51 percent proficient or better in math—a new high since the tests have been fully aligned to the state content standards students are taught in class.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson was pleased with the progress, especially considering the impact of school budget cuts on instructional programs and support services.
"In less than a decade, California has gone from having only one student in three score proficient to better than one student in two," Torlakson said. "That's nearly 900,000 more students reaching proficiency now than in 2003—a remarkable achievement that represents real, sustained improvements in learning.
"As pleased as I am by the great progress many students are making,” Torlakson continued, “the deep school budget cuts of recent years make it ever less likely these gains will continue. Preventing further cuts and beginning to restore what's been lost are essential to helping every student learn and prepare for the future."
The percentage of students scoring at the proficient or advanced level increased by 22 percentage points since 2003 in English-language arts, or from 35 percent to 57 percent; and 16 percentage points in mathematics, from 35 percent to 51 percent. Visit the CDE website for detailed results.