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April 30, 2009
Staff Editorial
In a society driven by competition, even our high schools vie for the top spot. Whether the medium is athletics or academics, ranks matter. Academic Performance Index (API) scores is the measurement California uses to keep track of individual school academic performance and progress. Passed by the California legislature in 1999 as part of the Public Schools Accountability Act, API scores allow the government to maintain that public schools are doing their jobs in successfully educating youth.
A school’s API score is given on a scale of 200 to 1000. In 2007, Washington’s API score was 747; 53 points short of an 800 score that the state places as the performance target. Also, to make sure that schools are gradually improving and not regressing, the state requires each school to improve their API score by five every year. Previously, Washington set our target score for 765, but we surpassed that goal by 11 points by scoring a 776. With this 29 point, we have raised the bar again for 2009. Our new goal is to score 801, one point above the interim statewide API performance target.
Even though the state places certain requirements for schools regarding academic performance and improvements, we have shown objective and ambition on our own by creating our own goals. When the state asks for a certain score from us, we ask for an even higher score from our students. By consistently encouraging our students to achieve and score higher, we have been able to surpass both the requirement as well as the given goal.
As additional motivation this year, ASB and administration is encouraging students to reach 801 points in order to beat Irvington. The school wisely feeds off the students’ inborn sense of competition and rivalry for our fellow Fremont schools, and this added incentive will most likely improve scores.
Washington is a very proud school; we never miss a chance to celebrate our abundance of school spirit and high-achieving athletics team. Now it’s time to boast our exceptional academics as well. No longer will Washington be among the ranks of schools that are “below average.” With a significant jump in our API score from 2007 to 2008, we are ready to tackle a similar improvement in 2009. So freshmen, sophomores, and juniors: as you finish up your STAR tests this week, keep in mind the bragging rights that come with a high score. Don’t forget: UP YOURS!
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