Clayton's Elementary and Middle School STAR Scores Down Slightly

Though the scores were down slightly from 2010, a majority of students at and were proficient on the 2011 English and math Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) test.

At Mt. Diablo Elementary, 78 percent were proficient (or better) on the English and 79 percent were proficient on the math this year. In 2010, 82 percent were proficient on the English and math test.

For the city's middle school students, 77 percent were proficient on the English and 60 percent were proficient on the math. The English numbers are exactly the same as in 2010, with 77 percent being proficient, but last year 64 percent were proficient on the math test.

Overall, in Contra Costa County, where 128,000 students were tested, 61 percent scored at least proficient in English and 55 percent proficient or better in math.

Students in second through 11th grades are tested in several subjects and ranked by the following levels: far below basic, below basic, basic, proficient or advanced.

Both state and East Bay scores are the highest since the program launched in 2003. That first year, just 35 percent of California students ranked proficient in math and English.

“The significant and sustained improvements we’ve seen for nine consecutive years prove how hard teachers, school employees, administrators and parents are working to help students achieve despite budget cuts that have affected our schools,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said in a statement. “Their heroic teamwork is paying off for California.”