Mt. Diablo Unified Schools Score Higher Than Average In Statewide Tests

For the most part, Mt. Diablo Unified School District students scored better than statewide averages in the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) test results released Thursday by the California State Superintendent of Schools office.

Overall, the 2013 STAR scores decreased slightly statewide from the 2012 results.

Across California, 56.4 percent of students scored proficient or above in the English language arts section. That was 0.8 percent lower than a year ago.

In math, 51.2 percent of students scored proficient or above, a decrease of 0.3 percent.

In science, 59.1 percent of students were proficient or above, down 0.4 percent. In history and social sciences, 49.4 percent scored proficient or above, up 0.6 percent.

Superintendent Tom Torlakson said the results were satisfying given the budget cuts and other problems schools faced this past year.

“As you would expect for a school system in transition, results varied from grade to grade, subject to subject, and school to school, but the big picture is one of remarkable resilience despite the challenges,” Torlakson said. “While we all want to see California’s progress continue, these results show that in the midst of change and uncertainty, teachers and schools kept their focus on students and learning. That’s a testament to the depth of their commitment to their students and the future of our state.”

In the Mt. Diablo school district, the results were divided up by grade level.

In English language arts, three grades were below the 56 percent statewide average. They were 3rd grade (51 percent), 10th grade (51 percent) and 11th grade (44 percent).

The other grades were above the statewide average, the highest being the 4th graders with 69 percent proficient and above.

In mathematics, grades 2 through 5 were well above the state average of 51 percent with the highest being the 4th graders with 79 percent proficient or above. The 6th graders had 51 percent proficient or above while 7th graders had 48 percent. 

The 8th through 12th grade scores were separated by subject matter such as algebra I, algebra II and geometry.

The history, social science and science scores are also divided up by subject matter.

This year's Mt. Diablo Unified scores were similar to the 2012 scores at most grade levels.