Pasadena Unified API Scores Show Minimal Improvement

Figures released Wednesday show that the students showed a minor improvement in API scores from 2010 to 2011, going from 759 to 758.

The API is a number between 200 and 1000 that reflects performance level of a school, sub group and district, based on statewide testing. Its purpose is to measure the academic performance and growth of schools. The state target is 800.

The table below shows all the PUSD schools in Altadena as well as all the high schools in the district.  For data on every PUSD school please refer to the report on the state's website.  There is also a district-wide report breaking scores down by demographic and learning category groups.

Every school in Altadena showed improvement from last year except for , which showed a minor dip (though it still achieved one of the top overall scores among Altadena schools) and , which dropped 41 points.  showed the most improvement of any school in the district, with a 63 point gain.

But Jon Gundry, the district superintendent, noted in a press release that only about half of the schools district-wide improved their scores while nearly the same number had a significant drop off in their scores.

"I am pleased that schools demonstrated improvement, especially those that made substantial gains this year, and I am deeply committed to working with the schools with scores that dropped or remained low," wrote Gundry in the release.

"I have set an immediate course of action to examine the reasons for the inconsistencies in school performance and to make adjustments tailored to each school. Administrator and school teams began this work earlier this month and will continue throughout the year."

Below are the Altadena school scores:

The state determines API scores using a weighted formula. The formula includes the tests administered in May, and the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). The California Standards Test (CST) results are most heavily weighted.

Editor's note: The initial version of this story did not include Franklin Elementary's scores and incorrectly stated that Aveson Charter School was the only Altadena school to have a score drop.