pfc newsletter O A K
P A R K
H I G H
S C H O O L
May/June 2014
www.oakparkusd.org/ophs
The Principal’s Message May is testing time and this month includes Advanced Placement (AP) exams and STAR testing. AP Exams begin on May 6th and SBAC testing begins on Friday, May 16 and runs for four days until May 21. This year is the field test year for Smarter Balanced testing and juniors only will take an ELA or Math assessment using the computer labs. Students in grades 9-11 will take no STAR tests with the exception of Sophomores who will take the Life Science test in their Biology class. You might then ask how is the California Department of Education’s school accountability system going to work without the STAR results which made up 90% of the API calculation along with the California High School Exit exam, and graduation rates. The scores students attained on the STAR tests were calculated into the school’s Academic Performance Index (API) and each school receives an API score out of 100. Oak Park High School’s 2013 API score was 907. This API score, while a narrow measurement of the school as a whole, is very widely published and is often the first thing families look at when researching prospective schools and communities in which to raise their children. What we know so far is that API’s are frozen until the state defines which factors will calculate into the new API. One of the most important facets of the STAR tests was attendance during testing and OPHS usually achieves a participation rate of over 98%. This year is no different. We are required to maintain 95% attendance to be in compliance for the Smarter Balanced Assessments, so we ask that parents support our efforts by helping get all students here every day and on time. Seniors don’t take SBAC tests so we have adjusted the senior activities that usually occurred during testing time. We’ve moved two of the senior activities to days after final exams. Ninth grade students have no standardized testing this year and they will attend class on the minimum days.
Below are the schedules for all grades during testing and I’ve included the second semester finals schedule. Friday May 16 Grade 9-11 - Periods 0-1-3-5 - 25% of Gr. 11 SBAC Field Test Testing Bell Schedule
May 16 – 21, 2014 Grade 12 - Senior Must Do Day - Caps and Gowns, Panoramic Photo, Senior Survey. Early release for Prom Prep
Monday May 19 Grade 9-11 - Periods 2-4-6 - 25% of Gr. 11 SBAC Field Test Grade 12 - Senior Picnic
Tuesday May 20 Grade 9 - Periods 0-1-3-5 – Instructional Time Grade 10 - Periods 0-1-3-5 - STAR Life Sci. Test in Biology Grade 11 - Periods 0-1-3-5 - 25% of Gr. 11 in SBAC Field Test Grade 12 - Periods 0-1-3-5 - Instructional Time
Wednesday May 21 Grade 9 - Periods 0-2-4-6 - Instructional Time Grade 10 - Periods 0-2-4-6 - STAR Life Sci. Test in Biology Grade 11 - Periods 0-2-4-6 - 25% of Gr. 11 in SBAC Field Test Grade 12 - Periods 0-2-4-6 - Instructional Time
The seniors have an added day of instruction during the min day testing period, so we have moved senior finals earlier and have the senior picnic & beach day after senior finals and before rehearsals and graduation. Continued on page 5
Have a Great Summer OPHS Make it Safe & Enjoyable! Congratulations Class of 2014!