Orland test results better

On average, Glenn County schools scored higher in 2010 California's Standardized Testing and Reporting results than the previous year, but cumulative scores in all categories are lower than the state average.

Combining all schools in the county shows proficient and advanced scores slowly inching toward the goal of 100 percent of students reaching those levels.

Though variations exist from school to school, Orland Unified School District's average scores increased in all categories.

Scores in the Willows Unified School District went up in some areas and down in others. Students tested higher in history and science but dropped in England language arts and math.

Because the Hamilton Elementary and High School districts unified for the 2009-10 school year, overall comparisons are not readily available. However, the 2010 averages all fall below state scores.

The tests are taken each spring.

Countywide in 2010, the proficient and advanced scores in English Language Arts for grades 2-11 averaged 41.5 percent compared to 39.9 percent in 2009, according to STAR summary reports on the California Department of Education website.

Statewide, English-language scores jumped from 49.9 percent in 2009 to 52.3 percent in 2010, nearly 11 points higher than in Glenn County.

The county's average history scores increased a dramatic 9.5 percent, going from 28 percent in '09 to 35.7 percent in 2010. Statewide scores went from 41 percent to 44.4 percent.

On average, county students did slightly better in math in 2010, moving from 34.4 percent to 35.6 percent. State scores increased from 45.8 percent to 48 percent.

In science, which tests at the end of grades 5, 8 and 10, students in the county made a big jump, rising to 47.4 percent in 2010, up from 39.9 the year before.

At the state level, 2010 scores came in at 53.6 percent, up from 49.5.

Orland

Teachers and administrators at all levels agree that reading is the most important skill. Without it, they said, students cannot do well in any subject.

Orland schools improved nearly three points in English Language Arts, moving from 37.2 percent in 2009 to an even 40 percent in 2010.

However, Mill Street Elementary dropped 14 percentage points. Administrators said they "have some work to do."

Fairview Elementary, on the other hand, made huge strides, with grade 3 scores going up 7 percent; grade 4 up 9 percent; and grade 5 increased a whopping 16 points.

Principal Steve Hiscock credited teachers and their eagerness to improve student learning and to facilitate that through professional learning communities.

At C.K. Price, sixth grade scores went up 2 points and eighth grade scores went up 10 points. Seventh-graders dropped from 40 percent to 27.

District and site officials suggested numerous changes in administration at the school contributed to some students not performing as well.

At the high school, English-language scores decreased by 6 percent in grade 9, increased 3 percent in grade 10 and decreased 2 percent in grade 11, the last year tested.

Orland High administrators prefer to emphasize biology score, which increased from 43 percent to 54, the highest score in the county.

Orland administrators implemented professional learning communities in all schools last year. The principals said teacher collaborations and other efforts in the classroom played a big part in students testing higher.

Contact Lydia Harris at 934-6800, 865-3110 or lharris@tcnpress.com.

Hamilton Unified School District 2010 STAR scores

Below are averages for students who rated proficient or advanced the district in each category.

English Language Arts: 38.8 percent

History: 36.8 percent

Math: 26.1 percent

Science: 37.1 percent

End-of-course science: 33.5 percent

Below are grade-level scores ranking proficient or advanced in English language arts.

Grade Percent

2 35.4

3 16.3

4 27.2

5 44

6 42

7 23.5

8 44.9

9 52.7

10 40.5

11 43.6