OT: API scores

[bearishgurl]

This post relates to high school only (college prep curriculum or AP/IB program).

Actually, HomeShopping, I believe it is NOT the ratio of teachers to students but the quality of teachers within a school that is the key to college admission. This has been historically tied to the overall teacher seniority in a school. The teachers with the most experience bid on schools for which they feel it would be easiest to teach at within their respective districts of employment because THEY ARE ENTITLED TO DO SO! This is part of the overall CEA rules affecting every CA district contract. The schools these high-seniority teachers typically bid to work in DO NOT have large populations taking advantage of a free or low-cost lunch program or students that perhaps don’t have a decent bed to sleep in every night or a decent breakfast at home.

I believe school “API scores” are a “misnomer,” that is, “miscontrued” by the general public as “gospel.” If a “closer look” is taken at the general student makeup of a particular school (on the API card) the success of each school is measured far differently. Homebuyers tend to “flock” to a particular school attendance area because of a “high API score” but that doesn’t necessarily tell the tale about the ability and tenacity of its teachers. For instance, teachers who are able to take a large ESL student population and propel them into the 800 ranges ARE BETTER TEACHERS, IMO, than teachers who may have had the MOST SENIORITY and bid on better schools (to make their work easier – can you blame them?) I’m not saying the teachers that are exercising their right to bid on a choice school-assignment are bad teachers . . . not at all. I’m just saying that for whatever reason (fatigue, language barriers, injury, etc) they take the easy way out for x amount of years and THAT IS OKAY! A teaching career can be very long and they deserve a “break” during some of it.

The TRUE TEST of a GREAT school is the showing of API scores in the 800’s for students who don’t have access to their own cars, i-phones, high-speed internet access at home or lunch money. An even greater test of good teachers is a high API score COMBINED with a large or very large percentage of ESL student-population (or otherwise disadvantaged population) within the school. On the lower right-hand corner of the API card, one can see if the “targets” were met or not for THAT PARTICULAR STUDENT POPULATION. If they were NOT MET for a student population which appears to be “privileged” and not lacking in any necessary resources at home to successfully complete the grade level, THEN THOSE TEACHERS ARE FALLING DOWN ON THE JOB, their student population isn’t properly motivated, OR BOTH.

IMO, that’s how to properly grade schools. It’s not all as it SEEMS at first blush and never will be, ESPECIALLY in CA.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=grepper]of course it isnt this simple and this example doesnt prove anything and all sorts of things play a role…i’m sure the parent part is a big one.[/quote]

No, it isn’t simple, grepper because in the “Gage Elementary attendance area,” for instance, which I am familiar with, the average homeowner age is probably 50-60 years old. Yes, the “parent” in the house (or lack thereof) plays a HUGE role in student success. Yes, Gage is situated in a nice area and the kids living in these homes probably have ALL THEY NEED TO SUCCEED! I’m also quite certain that SDUSD teachers with seniority often bid to teach in that school (and I’m sure mor than a few grandparents are lending their addresses for attendance purposes, lol).

BUT . . . THE “GRANDPARENT” DEMOGRAPHIC IS NOT AS EDUCATED as younger generations. NET WORTH! check. HOME EQUITY! check. EDUCATIONAL LEVELS of GUARDIANS/CAREGIVERs . . . uncheck. IT IS WHAT IT IS, Grepper. Gage is a GREAT example for my theory that relying solely on these API scores is hogwash. I have no doubt that there are GREAT TEACHERS at Gage. An API of 812 is fine and the kids will do fine.

Thank you and good night!

[bearishgurl]

[quote=grepper]of course it isnt this simple and this example doesnt prove anything and all sorts of things play a role…i’m sure the parent part is a big one.[/quote]

No, it isn’t simple, grepper because in the “Gage Elementary attendance area,” for instance, which I am familiar with, the average homeowner age is probably 50-60 years old. Yes, the “parent” in the house (or lack thereof) plays a HUGE role in student success. Yes, Gage is situated in a nice area and the kids living in these homes probably have ALL THEY NEED TO SUCCEED! I’m also quite certain that SDUSD teachers with seniority often bid to teach in that school (and I’m sure mor than a few grandparents are lending their addresses for attendance purposes, lol).

BUT . . . THE “GRANDPARENT” DEMOGRAPHIC IS NOT AS EDUCATED as younger generations. NET WORTH! check. HOME EQUITY! check. EDUCATIONAL LEVELS of GUARDIANS/CAREGIVERs . . . uncheck. IT IS WHAT IT IS, Grepper. Gage is a GREAT example for my theory that relying solely on these API scores is hogwash. I have no doubt that there are GREAT TEACHERS at Gage. An API of 812 is fine and the kids will do fine.

Thank you and good night!

[bearishgurl]

[quote=grepper]of course it isnt this simple and this example doesnt prove anything and all sorts of things play a role…i’m sure the parent part is a big one.[/quote]

No, it isn’t simple, grepper because in the “Gage Elementary attendance area,” for instance, which I am familiar with, the average homeowner age is probably 50-60 years old. Yes, the “parent” in the house (or lack thereof) plays a HUGE role in student success. Yes, Gage is situated in a nice area and the kids living in these homes probably have ALL THEY NEED TO SUCCEED! I’m also quite certain that SDUSD teachers with seniority often bid to teach in that school (and I’m sure mor than a few grandparents are lending their addresses for attendance purposes, lol).

BUT . . . THE “GRANDPARENT” DEMOGRAPHIC IS NOT AS EDUCATED as younger generations. NET WORTH! check. HOME EQUITY! check. EDUCATIONAL LEVELS of GUARDIANS/CAREGIVERs . . . uncheck. IT IS WHAT IT IS, Grepper. Gage is a GREAT example for my theory that relying solely on these API scores is hogwash. I have no doubt that there are GREAT TEACHERS at Gage. An API of 812 is fine and the kids will do fine.

Thank you and good night!

[bearishgurl]

[quote=grepper]of course it isnt this simple and this example doesnt prove anything and all sorts of things play a role…i’m sure the parent part is a big one.[/quote]

No, it isn’t simple, grepper because in the “Gage Elementary attendance area,” for instance, which I am familiar with, the average homeowner age is probably 50-60 years old. Yes, the “parent” in the house (or lack thereof) plays a HUGE role in student success. Yes, Gage is situated in a nice area and the kids living in these homes probably have ALL THEY NEED TO SUCCEED! I’m also quite certain that SDUSD teachers with seniority often bid to teach in that school (and I’m sure mor than a few grandparents are lending their addresses for attendance purposes, lol).

BUT . . . THE “GRANDPARENT” DEMOGRAPHIC IS NOT AS EDUCATED as younger generations. NET WORTH! check. HOME EQUITY! check. EDUCATIONAL LEVELS of GUARDIANS/CAREGIVERs . . . uncheck. IT IS WHAT IT IS, Grepper. Gage is a GREAT example for my theory that relying solely on these API scores is hogwash. I have no doubt that there are GREAT TEACHERS at Gage. An API of 812 is fine and the kids will do fine.

Thank you and good night!

[bearishgurl]

[quote=grepper]of course it isnt this simple and this example doesnt prove anything and all sorts of things play a role…i’m sure the parent part is a big one.[/quote]

No, it isn’t simple, grepper because in the “Gage Elementary attendance area,” for instance, which I am familiar with, the average homeowner age is probably 50-60 years old. Yes, the “parent” in the house (or lack thereof) plays a HUGE role in student success. Yes, Gage is situated in a nice area and the kids living in these homes probably have ALL THEY NEED TO SUCCEED! I’m also quite certain that SDUSD teachers with seniority often bid to teach in that school (and I’m sure mor than a few grandparents are lending their addresses for attendance purposes, lol).

BUT . . . THE “GRANDPARENT” DEMOGRAPHIC IS NOT AS EDUCATED as younger generations. NET WORTH! check. HOME EQUITY! check. EDUCATIONAL LEVELS of GUARDIANS/CAREGIVERs . . . uncheck. IT IS WHAT IT IS, Grepper. Gage is a GREAT example for my theory that relying solely on these API scores is hogwash. I have no doubt that there are GREAT TEACHERS at Gage. An API of 812 is fine and the kids will do fine.

Thank you and good night!

[UCGal]

I agree with the idea that some of the high API scores are strictly the demographics of the kids within that boundary… my kids school included. My sister (a teacher with San Diego Unified) jokes that you could toss the Curie kids in a closet with a book and they’d teach themselves to read… because they’re bright kids with bright parents.

I also agree with BG’s point that teachers with seniority seek out schools like Curie because it’s going to be easier to teach there because there are fewer ESL students, fewer students with IEPs to deal with learning disabilities, parents that will make the time to work with the kids outside the classroom. And it does not always mean the teachers are good teachers… Some have been teaching so long they are no longer effective… they’ve maxed out on their education steps so they do no continuing education, don’t take the time to learn new teaching theories, etc… They’re in the wait-to-retire mode. Have they earning this “break” – maybe… but does it mean they’re the best teachers… no.

Perhaps a better way to pick a school to live near is to look for high schools that offer the most AP course work… That’s more tangible.

[UCGal]

I agree with the idea that some of the high API scores are strictly the demographics of the kids within that boundary… my kids school included. My sister (a teacher with San Diego Unified) jokes that you could toss the Curie kids in a closet with a book and they’d teach themselves to read… because they’re bright kids with bright parents.

I also agree with BG’s point that teachers with seniority seek out schools like Curie because it’s going to be easier to teach there because there are fewer ESL students, fewer students with IEPs to deal with learning disabilities, parents that will make the time to work with the kids outside the classroom. And it does not always mean the teachers are good teachers… Some have been teaching so long they are no longer effective… they’ve maxed out on their education steps so they do no continuing education, don’t take the time to learn new teaching theories, etc… They’re in the wait-to-retire mode. Have they earning this “break” – maybe… but does it mean they’re the best teachers… no.

Perhaps a better way to pick a school to live near is to look for high schools that offer the most AP course work… That’s more tangible.

[UCGal]

I agree with the idea that some of the high API scores are strictly the demographics of the kids within that boundary… my kids school included. My sister (a teacher with San Diego Unified) jokes that you could toss the Curie kids in a closet with a book and they’d teach themselves to read… because they’re bright kids with bright parents.

I also agree with BG’s point that teachers with seniority seek out schools like Curie because it’s going to be easier to teach there because there are fewer ESL students, fewer students with IEPs to deal with learning disabilities, parents that will make the time to work with the kids outside the classroom. And it does not always mean the teachers are good teachers… Some have been teaching so long they are no longer effective… they’ve maxed out on their education steps so they do no continuing education, don’t take the time to learn new teaching theories, etc… They’re in the wait-to-retire mode. Have they earning this “break” – maybe… but does it mean they’re the best teachers… no.

Perhaps a better way to pick a school to live near is to look for high schools that offer the most AP course work… That’s more tangible.

[UCGal]

I agree with the idea that some of the high API scores are strictly the demographics of the kids within that boundary… my kids school included. My sister (a teacher with San Diego Unified) jokes that you could toss the Curie kids in a closet with a book and they’d teach themselves to read… because they’re bright kids with bright parents.

I also agree with BG’s point that teachers with seniority seek out schools like Curie because it’s going to be easier to teach there because there are fewer ESL students, fewer students with IEPs to deal with learning disabilities, parents that will make the time to work with the kids outside the classroom. And it does not always mean the teachers are good teachers… Some have been teaching so long they are no longer effective… they’ve maxed out on their education steps so they do no continuing education, don’t take the time to learn new teaching theories, etc… They’re in the wait-to-retire mode. Have they earning this “break” – maybe… but does it mean they’re the best teachers… no.

Perhaps a better way to pick a school to live near is to look for high schools that offer the most AP course work… That’s more tangible.

[UCGal]

I agree with the idea that some of the high API scores are strictly the demographics of the kids within that boundary… my kids school included. My sister (a teacher with San Diego Unified) jokes that you could toss the Curie kids in a closet with a book and they’d teach themselves to read… because they’re bright kids with bright parents.

I also agree with BG’s point that teachers with seniority seek out schools like Curie because it’s going to be easier to teach there because there are fewer ESL students, fewer students with IEPs to deal with learning disabilities, parents that will make the time to work with the kids outside the classroom. And it does not always mean the teachers are good teachers… Some have been teaching so long they are no longer effective… they’ve maxed out on their education steps so they do no continuing education, don’t take the time to learn new teaching theories, etc… They’re in the wait-to-retire mode. Have they earning this “break” – maybe… but does it mean they’re the best teachers… no.

Perhaps a better way to pick a school to live near is to look for high schools that offer the most AP course work… That’s more tangible.

[Anonymous]

[quote=bearishgurl]
No, it isn’t simple, grepper because in the “Gage Elementary attendance area,[/quote]

bg, calm down! i said it wasnt that simple. my main point is that when the parents care (guardians too) you will likely have good students. i was also speculating that parents that care are more likely to be educated. i picked 2 schools (for everyone mre is miramar ranch in scripps ranch and gage is in mira mesa) that i knew have differing demographics w/ differing schools…i also said my example proved nothing.

the teachers are important too. i just think in general the parents caring is more important. obviously a horrible teacher can be hurtful. however, i’m talking about in general or on the average.

bg why is the api lower at gage? i wasnt picking on gage for any particular reason. i think many of the kids there will do fine. why might those two schools be different teachers? parents? students(ie esol)?

i agree that parents shouldnt get bent out of shape w/ the api scores. parents just are crazy and do the stupidest stuff for their kids. they need to calm down and think rationally. 🙂 you live where you live, and it is what it is. if you dont like the score you can move or try to play a bigger role in your kid’s education. that, is that simple.

[Anonymous]

[quote=bearishgurl]
No, it isn’t simple, grepper because in the “Gage Elementary attendance area,[/quote]

bg, calm down! i said it wasnt that simple. my main point is that when the parents care (guardians too) you will likely have good students. i was also speculating that parents that care are more likely to be educated. i picked 2 schools (for everyone mre is miramar ranch in scripps ranch and gage is in mira mesa) that i knew have differing demographics w/ differing schools…i also said my example proved nothing.

the teachers are important too. i just think in general the parents caring is more important. obviously a horrible teacher can be hurtful. however, i’m talking about in general or on the average.

bg why is the api lower at gage? i wasnt picking on gage for any particular reason. i think many of the kids there will do fine. why might those two schools be different teachers? parents? students(ie esol)?

i agree that parents shouldnt get bent out of shape w/ the api scores. parents just are crazy and do the stupidest stuff for their kids. they need to calm down and think rationally. 🙂 you live where you live, and it is what it is. if you dont like the score you can move or try to play a bigger role in your kid’s education. that, is that simple.

[Anonymous]

[quote=bearishgurl]
No, it isn’t simple, grepper because in the “Gage Elementary attendance area,[/quote]

bg, calm down! i said it wasnt that simple. my main point is that when the parents care (guardians too) you will likely have good students. i was also speculating that parents that care are more likely to be educated. i picked 2 schools (for everyone mre is miramar ranch in scripps ranch and gage is in mira mesa) that i knew have differing demographics w/ differing schools…i also said my example proved nothing.

the teachers are important too. i just think in general the parents caring is more important. obviously a horrible teacher can be hurtful. however, i’m talking about in general or on the average.

bg why is the api lower at gage? i wasnt picking on gage for any particular reason. i think many of the kids there will do fine. why might those two schools be different teachers? parents? students(ie esol)?

i agree that parents shouldnt get bent out of shape w/ the api scores. parents just are crazy and do the stupidest stuff for their kids. they need to calm down and think rationally. 🙂 you live where you live, and it is what it is. if you dont like the score you can move or try to play a bigger role in your kid’s education. that, is that simple.

[Anonymous]

[quote=bearishgurl]
No, it isn’t simple, grepper because in the “Gage Elementary attendance area,[/quote]

bg, calm down! i said it wasnt that simple. my main point is that when the parents care (guardians too) you will likely have good students. i was also speculating that parents that care are more likely to be educated. i picked 2 schools (for everyone mre is miramar ranch in scripps ranch and gage is in mira mesa) that i knew have differing demographics w/ differing schools…i also said my example proved nothing.

the teachers are important too. i just think in general the parents caring is more important. obviously a horrible teacher can be hurtful. however, i’m talking about in general or on the average.

bg why is the api lower at gage? i wasnt picking on gage for any particular reason. i think many of the kids there will do fine. why might those two schools be different teachers? parents? students(ie esol)?

i agree that parents shouldnt get bent out of shape w/ the api scores. parents just are crazy and do the stupidest stuff for their kids. they need to calm down and think rationally. 🙂 you live where you live, and it is what it is. if you dont like the score you can move or try to play a bigger role in your kid’s education. that, is that simple.

[Author]

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