The recent release of student assessment results shows promising progress in a number of areas.
Most exciting, however, for me is the fact that more of our students have access to challenging and rigorous curriculum, specifically in the subject areas of English, math and science, and this is opening doors for them to increased opportunities after graduation and entrance into college. Our goal is to "not compress" toward the middle (breed mediocrity) but to challenge all students to perform at the highest level.
In 2004, only 37 percent of our graduates left high school with the coursework required for University of California or California State University entrance. In 2007, the number jumped to 70 percent. We want all students to have the coursework and opportunity to attend college if that is their choice. Unfortunately, we were inadvertently holding students back and placing them in courses that did not meet UC/CSU requirements, sometimes due to low expectations. Now we are challenging our students and early results are demonstrating that they are meeting the challenge.
In addition, our teachers are stepping up to the challenge as well, and I am proud of their "can do" attitude and willingness to put forth the extra effort so all students can succeed.
In 2008, 95 percent of our graduates passed both sections of the California High School Exit Exam, required by the state to receive a diploma. This compares to 90 percent of students at the state level. We are aware that of the 5 percent who did not pass both tests, all were either English-language learners, in special education, or both; and we will continue to provide resources until we reach a 100 percent passing rate.
The same year, 84 percent of sophomores (future graduating class of 2010) passed the English/Language Arts portion of the exam (compared to a state passing rate of 79 percent), and 83 percent of sophomores passed the mathematics portion of the exam (compared to a state passing rate of 78 percent). Those students who did not pass as sophomores have multiple opportunities over the next two years to retake the exams. It is our mission to increase the percentage of sophomores who pass the exam and to increase the passing rate as more students gain access to the higher level classes and additional support such as after-school tutoring.
As was reported earlier this month, the district had a nine point increase on the 2008 Academic Performance Index (as measured by the state's standardized testing program). Eight schools made double digit growth (Central, 71 points; Barrett, 46 points; Los Paseos, 39 points; Burnett, 32 points; Martin Murphy, 23 points; Paradise Valley, 20 points; El Toro, 18 points; and Sobrato, 14 points). The average API growth of these eight schools was 32.9 points, and the average API growth for the 372 schools in Santa Clara County was 10.3 points. Additionally, four schools have achieved the state's goal of an 800 API, and six schools are within striking distance of 42 points or less. This is solid progress in student achievement levels.
Another area that gives me great satisfaction is the physical improvements that we have been able to make to our school sites. A few of the larger projects that were completed over the summer are the relocation and expansion of the Community Adult School from Monterey Road to the northwest corner of the Britton Middle School campus, and the expansion of Central Continuation High School. Renovation of the Live Oak campus continues, as well as the reconstruction of the Britton Middle School locker rooms. Many schools received upgrades over the summer. A more complete report can be found on our web site (www.mhu.k12.ca.us.) under "Breaking News."
You may or may not know that for the first time in at least 30 years, three Morgan Hill Unified School District board members qualified unopposed in the November 2008 election for a second term of office. The three incumbents were the only individuals who filed papers to run in the election. When the number of candidates matches the number of open seats, the Registrar of Voters certifies that the persons nominated shall be seated on the board. This not only saves the District $35,000 for the cost of the election, but it is a tribute to the support of our community for the direction of our district, the work of the current board and the job that we are doing for students.
Are we making progress? Yes! Are we satisfied? No! Can we do better? Absolutely, and that is our goal. Our students are depending on us.
Alan Nishino has been serving as superintendent of the Morgan Hill Unified School District since July of 2005. He served as superintendent of the Alameda School District for five years. Reach him at alan.nishino@mhu.k12.ca.us.
Alan Nishino Alan Nishino has been serving as superintendent of the Morgan Hill Unified School District since July of 2005. He served as superintendent of the Alameda School District for five years. Reach him at alan.nishino@mhu.k12.ca.us.
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Live Oak dominates Westmont