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API scores edge higher
Testing results show Pleasanton still has a top-ranking district

by Emily West

The California Department of Education released the API (Academic Performance Index) scores this week, showing the Pleasanton Unified School District has slightly improved over last year's already high-ranking results.

These scores, the most commonly used to rank schools throughout the state, are part of the Accountability Progress Report, which includes results from the STAR (Standardized Testing And Reporting) testing and the California High School Exit Exam from the 2008-09 school year. Its goal is to measure the academic growth of a school.

Districtwide, Pleasanton schools continued the trend of exceeding the state's 800-point target standard with a score of 895, which is based out of a 1,000-point scale.

The top score this year was received by Mohr Elementary, with 956 points, which is down from last year's score of 961. Schools seeing the biggest gains from 2007-08 were Village High, up 28 points (612) from 584; Pleasanton Middle, at 931 compared to 905 in 2007-08; and Donlon Elementary, at 922 compared to 900 in 2007-08.

Districts throughout the state showed improvement as the score jumped 13 points to 741, which is still below the standard.

Nearby districts also saw improvement, with Dublin moving from 833 to 839 and Livermore from 790 to 793, both districtwide. The San Ramon Valley Unified School District is often compared to PUSD and last year the two were tied at 893 points. This year, however, SRVUD edged PUSD out with a score of 901, six points higher.

Base API scores

(School, 2008-09 score, 2007-08 score, difference)

Pleasanton Unified School District: 895, 893, 2

Alisal Elementary: 893, 897, -4

Donlon Elementary: 922, 900, 22

Fairlands Elementary: 931, 915, 16

Hearst Elementary: 936, 930, 6

Lydiksen Elementary: 871, 899, -28

Mohr Elementary: 956, 961, -5

Valley View Elementary: 904, 915, -11

Vintage Hills Elementary: 920, 916, 4

Walnut Grove Elementary: 914, 922, -8

Hart Middle: 906, 895, 11

Harvest Park Middle: 924, 899, 25

Pleasanton Middle: 931, 905, 26

Amador Valley High: 867, 870, -3

Foothill High: 878, 884, -6

Village High: 612, 584, 28