FONTANA, CA – Fontana Unified School District students maintained steady performance on California English language arts (ELA) and mathematics tests in 2017, according to District officials and data released Sept. 27 by the state Department of Education.

The computer-adaptive tests are administered to students in grades three through eight and grade 11 and are aligned with rigorous California Standards adopted in 2010 and required in school instruction as of 2014-15. The standards challenge students to apply the knowledge and skills they are learning in the classroom to real-world problems.

Developed by the multi-state Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, the two exams are part of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP), a cluster of proficiency exams that includes science, and alternative assessments for special education students

The 2017 state test scores show that 33.38 percent of students Districtwide met or exceeded state standards in ELA, and 19.47 percent met or exceeded standards in mathematics. These results are on par with or incrementally top the District’s 2016 scores, and were achieved as the District implemented new core curriculum.

“These scores will continue to help us guide our efforts to improve our educational programs through rigorous curriculum and enhanced instructional strategies,” Fontana Unified Superintendent Randal S. Bassett said. “As we develop a thorough understanding of our student needs, we can better ensure every Fontana Unified student is equipped to achieve lasting academic success.”

English learners who have been reclassified as Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) also maintained their progress in 2017; 51.20 percent of FUSD’s RFEP students met or exceeded ELA standards, and 28.97 met or exceeded math standards. A higher percentage of RFEP students met or exceeded ELA standards than the percentage state-wide (48.56%).

The test results will help the District determine how to implement programs identified in its 2017-20 Local Control and Accountability Plan, an element of the state’s school funding system that guides District efforts to improve student achievement by setting annual priorities and strategies to achieve those goals.

FUSD’s new ELA and math curriculum, coupled with its ongoing intervention and enrichment programs at every educational level, will support its efforts to increase academic proficiency and student engagement. The District will also continue to provide opportunities to engage, equip and empower parents to advocate for the academic success of their children.

“The steady student performance in meeting or exceeding state educational standards during the implementation of the District’s new, more rigorous curriculum is a testament to the excellence and hard work of our teachers and staff,” Fontana Unified Board President Mary B. Sandoval said. “The District believes these slight improvements year over year are a positive indication of the success to come.”