SAN DIMAS/ LA VERNE – For the third consecutive year, Bonita Unified School District students improved their performance in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics on the California Standards for ELA and math, according to state data released on Oct. 2.

The 2018 state test scores show that 70.99 percent of students Districtwide met or exceeded state standards in ELA, up 3 percentage points from 2017, and 56.19 percent met or exceeded standards in mathematics, up 2 percentage points.

“For three consecutive years, the District’s academic scores have headed in the right direction with gains in nearly every area,” Superintendent Carl J. Coles said. “These scores will help guide our efforts to improve our educational programs through rigorous curriculum and enhanced instructional strategies.”

Bonita Unified students who are economically disadvantaged also made significant improvements, as 59.17 percent of students met or exceeded standards in ELA – rising nearly 6 percentage points from 2017 – and 44.18 percent met or exceeded standards in mathematics – increasing nearly 4 percentage points.

English learners also made gains, with students testing nearly 4 percentage points higher in ELA and nearly 6 percentage points higher in math.

“We are exceptionally proud of our students and teachers for making this progress, and we look forward to seeing how much more we can achieve academically,” Coles said.

Developed by the multi-state Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, the computer-adaptive tests are the centerpiece of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP).

The tests are administered to students in grades three through eight and grade 11; they are aligned with 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, including writing, critical thinking and problem-solving.

The 2018 ELA scores increased nearly 8 percentage points from 2016 results and math scores were up by 8 percentage points.

As part of the ongoing improvement process, the District intends to use the data to develop plans for professional development, effective use of technology and strategic interventions.