Newhall School District officials released test results this week for the California Assessment Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP).

In 2015, Newhall School District students, in the inaugural administration of the CAASPP, scored well above the state and Los Angeles County averages, according to a news release from district officials.

In 2016, scores improved at each of the tested third- to sixth-grade levels and subjects (mathematics and English-language arts).

“Valleywide, scores are quite good and they are much higher than statewide scores,” district Superintendent Paul Cordeiro said. “But Newhall’s scores show distinct separation from the other districts, particularly in mathematics where we have been concentrating resources around professional development, assessment to inform teaching, instructional technology and selection of new instructional materials.”

Related Article: Newhall School District Looks Back On Successful School year

For the 2016 school year, nearly two-thirds (72 percent) of students met or exceeded the state standard. Slightly less than half (44 percent) of the third- to sixth-graders In the Newhall School District exceeded state standards for the English language arts/Literacy portion of the test, and 28 percent met standards, according to the CAASPP website.

In 2016, 62 percent (35 percent exceeded state standards, 27 percent of the students met state standards) are testing at or above the state standard for the mathematics section, according to the state’s results.

“As concerns English-language arts, our scores are especially strong, and fueled by our award-winning K-6 writing program that integrates reading and writing in a way that sets our students up for success,” Cordeiro added. “Writing is definitely a keystone program that influences positive outcomes in both reading and mathematics. As we head into the new school year, we will be working hard to improve our results through strategic processes that have yielded student success year-after- year.”

The results show a 5 percent increase over the number of students who have met or exceeded state standards for the 2015 CAASPP English Language Arts/Literacy results for third- to sixth-graders in the Newhall School District. Last year, 37 percent of the students exceeded standards and 30 percent met standards, according to the state website.  

The results for 2016 in math show an 8 percent increase from last years’ numbers.

The Mathematics test results for 2015 indicated that 54 percent (26 percent of the third- to sixth-graders in the district exceeded standards, while 28 percent of the students met standards) met or exceeded state standards, according to the results.

The CAASPP challenges students to apply their analytical skills. The test is aligned to the state-adopted Common Core State Standards (CCSS) which replaced the California State Standards several years ago.

“First and foremost, the credit goes to our teachers who have worked so hard to transform their practice under CCSS, and to the site administrators, site support staff and our district office instructional leaders,” Cordeiro said. “Additionally, we recognize the NSD Governing Board for always putting student achievement first. We work collaboratively as a team and the results bear that collaboration out. We also appreciate our partnership with parents who are actively involved in supporting their children’s success.”