API Message from Mrs. Stutzel

Soleado Elementary School

“A place in the sun”

Dear Soleado Families,

The Academic Performance Index (API) is an annual measure of test score performance of schools and districts. The California Department of Education (CDE) calculates the API and disseminates the results directly to schools and districts as well as posting them on the CDE website. The API is a single number on a scale of 200 to 1,000 that indicates how well students in a school or district performed on the previous spring’s tests. The Growth API, released in October (2013), comes from 2013 spring test scores.

The initial results for Soleado’s API have been released by the state.  Our 2013 results show an increase of 17 in our growth target.  That means Soleado’s API went from 948 in 2012 to 965 in 2013.  This is tremendous growth! 

As we move ahead into the 2013-2014 academic year, we use the API data to validate good support programs and classroom instruction that have contributed to the academic success of the students at Soleado.  We are also in a transition year, moving from the STAR tests (this will be the last year) into the SBAC tests, Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium, for the 2014-2015 school year.  While still needing to balance instruction around the STAR tests accountability, the teachers and staff will be implementing new instructional strategies to support the CCSS, Common Core State Standards, this year as well.  This enables the students to prepare for the new accountability system and state standards which will be implemented in 2014-2015. 

The teachers and I will be presenting information about the CCSS in our “Community Nights” this year.  Our first “Community Night” will be held on October 2 at 6:00pm. We encourage ALL parents to join us as we begin to better understand the shift from State Standards to the Common Core State Standards and what this means for instruction in the classroom, as well as end of the year state assessments. 

I would like to take a moment and thank the dedicated Teachers, Mr. Allen, Booster Club, PTA, Japanese Parent Association, and all hard working parents at Soleado for working collaboratively to help make Soleado a place where children can learn and thrive to do their best!  When we all work together, we can accomplish anything!

I look forward to seeing you at our Community Nights this year.  If you have any questions as we move into the 2013-2014 school year, my door is always open.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Gina Stutzel