Results of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) test showed an increase in scores compared to last year.

The CAASPP, also known as “Smarter Balanced,” were taken by third through eighth graders and eleventh graders throughout California schools earlier this spring. The test results were Aug. 24.

Students in the Los Angeles Unified School District improved by 4 percent in math and 6 percent in English. However, only 29 percent of LAUSD students who took the test met standards in math, and 39 percent in English.

However, at Daniel Pearl Magnet, 30 percent of the students met or exceeded standards in math while 73 percent met or exceeded standards in English.

The score summaries reveal how much schools are preparing students in those subjects, as well as how LAUSD students compared to students in other California schools.

“The start of Common Core standards started relatively soon, in comparison to the testing on those standards, so most of the students that took the SBAC hadn’t been exposed to the standards so I’m not surprised. I think that if it continues over the years going forward I would be concerned,” Principal Deb Smith said.

Overall, magnet schools in LAUSD did better than other schools throughout California. There was also a significant difference between the scores of English speakers and learners. Even in magnet schools that performed relatively well, English learners scored the lowest, due to lack of familiarity with the English language.

Regardless of the increase in this year’s test results, all California schools need to work to prepare all students more, in order to see a higher percent of students meeting and exceeding standards.