Northgate High School
Prinicipal's Message: April 27, 2009
STAR 850 High Stakes Testing Campaign:
Our students will soon take a series of high stakes tests, which measures the academic performance of the student and school. The tests are referred to as the California Standards Tests (CST’s), or the STAR test (STAR is the legislative label for standardized testing in California). The CST tests will be given Monday-Friday, May 04-09, for student’s grades 9-11. All tests are designed to reflect our students mastery of the content standards mandated by the state of California. Performance on these tests guides our remediation efforts for curriculum and instruction.
Student performance on these exams is critical for the student, school, and community. The test scores comprise the bulk of the Academic Performance Index (API), the State benchmark for school performance. The API is a scaled score ranging between the numbers 200-1,000. This score is the standard by which our school is measured against other schools. When students apply to college, the quality of their grades and course of study is reflected in this API score. Our school has traditionally scored very well; last year our score was 835, the best in the district, but we can do better, this year we are setting a goal of at least 850.
These scores have serious implications for college admissions, real estate value, community pride, and other comparative measures of “school excellence.” As you can see, these tests are titled, “high stakes” for a reason. We ask your help to encourage your child to take these tests seriously, and do their best. These tests have not proven difficult for our students for good reason; we have excellent students and teachers.
Yet, our scores in the recent past have not equaled our neighboring schools, such as Las Lomas High. Students tell me they believe some students do not take these tests seriously. I know our students take their education seriously, and with your help, we can work together to lift our scores to the level that reflects the excellence in our community. If our students approach these tests with common sense preparation, they will do well.
This preparation includes the following suggestions:
- Get a good night sleep before any test.
- Dress in layers, with a sweater or jacket. If the room is hot, you can take something off.
- Drink plenty of water the day before, and the day of the test.
- Take your time on the test, read every passage, read every problem carefully, do not rush through any portion of a test, you have plenty of time.
- Relax! Do not stress, just do your best, you will do fine.
- Bring a snack with you to the test such as a power bar or piece of fruit.
- Bring a book, most students’ finish early.
If you follow these recommendations, you should do well on the tests. If you have any questions or concerns about these tests please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
John McMorris
Principal
Northgate High School