Student Test Scores Recovering From COVID

According to the California Department of Education scores on statewide student achievement, Castro Valley students show mixed results in recovering from learning setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The report released on December 15 is the first time since 2019 that the state on 13 different measurements including English, Math, graduation rates, college and career advancement, parent and family engagement, and support for English learners.

According to the education department’s website, California School Dashboard, figures for Castro Valley students were down from the previous school year by 4 percent in English and 1 percent in math. Statewide figures fell slightly in English last year while rising slightly in math. By contrast, Castro Valley performs considerably better on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) than students statewide and in several neighboring districts.  

In English, officially English Language Arts (ELA), some 68 percent of Castro Valley students in all grades combined met or exceeded state standards in the latest figures, compared to 47 percent statewide. Another 18 percent of Castro Valley students nearly met those standards.

Those figures put Castro Valley back at the English achievement levels attained in the last full year, 2018-2019, before the pandemic disrupted regular class instruction. 

In math, 58 percent met or exceeded state standards this year, compared to 35 percent statewide. Another 22 percent of Castro Valley students almost met those state standards.

This left Castro Valley math students 5 percent behind pre-pandemic figures.

“We disaggregate data from all assessments, including CAASPP, the summative state assessment given once a year, as well as local assessments that our teachers develop and administer in every subject area throughout the year in order to identify areas of success and need,” Castro Valley Unified School District Superintendent Parvin Ahmadi told the Forum. “As indicated on the latest California School Dashboard, district-wide, our students are generally showing success in English Language Arts and Mathematics and above the County and the State.”

Castro Valley’s graduation rate rose slightly this year to 95 percent, and chronic absenteeism dropped by 3 percent to 16 percent. Both rates were already better than the statewide averages.

Some 60 percent of Castro Valley 11th grade students were considered prepared for careers or college under the state’s standards, placing them in California’s “high” category. The figures reflect what courses have been completed as well as test scores. Statewide, the figure was 44 percent.

This year’s preparation figure put Castro Valley students some 3 percent ahead of pre-pandemic figures. 

“Our graduation rate continues to be above 95 percent compared to 86.4 percent at the State level,” Superintendent Ahmadi added. “Aligned with our commitment to continuous improvement, we recognize areas of need and better support for some of our student groups, for example those learning English as a second language and our students with special needs.” 

Among Castro Valley 4th graders, 71 percent met or exceeded state standards in English, while 70 percent met or exceeded state Math standards.

That was well ahead of statewide scores, where 44 percent of 4th graders met or exceeded standards in English, while 41 percent statewide met or exceeded Math standards.

Among Castro Valley 8th graders, 63 percent met or exceeded state standards in English, while 53 percent met or exceeded state Math standards. 

This was also better than statewide scores, where 46 percent of California’s 8th graders met or exceeded standards in English, while 30 percent of 8th graders statewide met or exceeded Math standards.

Among Castro Valley 11th graders, 69 percent met or exceeded state standards in English, while 48 percent met or exceeded state Math standards.

Statewide, some 55 percent of 11th graders met or exceeded state standards in English, while 27 percent of students statewide met or exceeded state Math standards. 

Any comparison with students statewide or nearby includes some districts more affluent and some more economically challenged than Castro Valley, and those factors can affect student achievement.

Some 36 percent of Castro Valley students are socioeconomically disadvantaged, by official definition, for instance. This compares to 74 percent in San Leandro and Hayward, 62 percent of students statewide, but around 8 percent in Dublin and Pleasanton.

Castro Valley has a lower percentage of English learners than does the state, at 13 percent compared to 19 percent, and also a lower percentage of foster youth, at 0.1 percent compared to 0.5 percent. This can affect achievement test scores.

The state test results for Castro Valley and other nearby and statewide districts can be seen at the state education department’s California School Dashboard website, www.caschooldashboard.org.