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By Bill Coate

The John J. Pershing School, opened in 2007, scored in the high 700s on state tests, an unusual feat, say school officials.

Photo by: Wendy Alexander

Don't be surprised if you find Madera Unified School District employees exuberant this morning. The California Department of Education's report card for the 2007-2008 school year has just arrived from Sacramento, and the state portion of the results shows local schools have reached a new high in their performance on the high-stakes testing program.

According to the first section of the two-part Accountability of Progress Report released Thursday by State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jack O'Connell, Madera Unified's schools took a giant leap forward toward that watershed mark of 800 on the Academic Performance Index, the yardstick used by California to measure its schools.

Seventeen Madera schools scored in the 700s in the state test, while two schools, John Adams Elementary and Lincoln Elementary, topped the state's goal with scores of 847 and 834 respectively. Howard School was next in line and just missed becoming MUSD's third school to reach the magic number of 800 by 7 points.

Each school's API score is based upon the California Standards Test given each spring. Schools earn scores ranging from 200 to 1000. Once a school reaches 800, it has risen to the level of state academic expectations.

"It is very exciting to see our test results continuing to improve every year," said MUSD superintendent John Stafford. "This district is achieving at a very high level, and that is a tribute to the hard work being put in by our students and staff. All of their great efforts are paying off. It's wonderful when you consider all the progress we've made, and how much better we are going to get in the years to come," Stafford said.

Following John Adams and Lincoln Schools with scores in the 700s were Howard (793), Pershing (776), Dixieland (766) Cesar Chavez (761), Thomas Jefferson Middle School (760), Eastin-Arcola (756), Berenda (754), Sierra Vista (747), Alpha (743), James Madison (730), Nishimoto (729), Ezequiel Tafoya Alvarado Academy Charter School (727), James Monroe (727), Millview (726), Sherman Thomas Charter (725), La Vina (725), and Madera High North (704).

Pershing Elementary, which opened its doors in 2007, made history by checking in with its 776 score. That is the highest tally ever for a first-year MUSD school, according to Jake Bragonier, Madera Unified's public information officer.

Honors for the most improved student performance on the battery of tests went to Mountain Vista High with a whopping 47-point increase over last year. Following close behind were Nishimoto Elementary with a 46-point jump and Cesar Chavez with a 45-point spike.

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Bill Coate William "Bill" Coate is a San Joaquin Valley historian, author, television personality and retired public school teacher with 36 years of classroom experience. He is the award-winning founder of the Madera Method, a research-based educational program that uses primary source materials to help students explore history. He writes about the past of our nation and valley with a weekly column and story. He also writes articles pertaining to local schools. The Madera Tribune online subscription To subscribe or log on, CLICK HERE. For more information first, CLICK HERE.