Lea este articulo en español aquí.
Hollister School District saw improved test scores for English language learners and in mathematics, but still remained low in three of five categories, according to the state’s dashboard.
English Language Arts, chronic absenteeism and suspension rates were in the low category and homeless student populations scored as the lowest performers in all categories.
According to the state, English language learner students scored 5.4 percentage points better than the previous year.
The California School Dashboard website “is an online tool that shows how local educational agencies and schools are performing on state and local indicators that are included in California’s school accountability system,” the website says.
Data for the dashboard results, which includes students in third through eighth grade, is calculated by the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS). The test results include Academics (English Language Arts and Mathematics), English Learner Progress, and looks at chronic absenteeism, graduation rates, suspension rates, and college/career matriculation.
Every district is graded on an achievement scale of red (very low), orange (low), yellow (medium), green (high), and blue (very high).
 100vw, 780px”><figcaption class=)
Dashboard Screenshot.Hollister School District Director of Education Services Colleen Myers told BenitoLink she felt that the results were in line with what the district had expected.
“Overall the results indicated an increase in academic achievement,” Myers said. “We know we were below where we wanted to be, but the fact that we increased from the previous year means we are right on track.”
As a group, English language learners in the district scored in the green, the only category in the district to do so. Mathematics scores increased by 5 percentage points, placing the district in the yellow category. The district’s average jumped from 75.9 points below standard in Mathematics in 2022, to 70.9 points below standard for 2023.
When asked about how the district improved its English language learners scores, Myers credited Coordinator for Education Services Jennifer Miller for her passion in helping students at the district level, along with teachers and software programs such as Lexia English.
As for the improvement in Math scores, Myers acknowledged the work of the individual schools with improving their overall math scores. She credited Calaveras Elementary School for using programs such as AdaptedMind Math Games to engage students in learning mathematics.
BenitoLink has been covering the District’s problems with chronic absenteeism since the 2020 COVID-19 shutdown.
“Our most absent group is preschool and kindergarten. These kids have been in isolation for two years so they are adjusting to leaving.”
The district has partnered with neighboring districts, including the San Benito High School District, to address chronic absenteeism.
For homeless student populations, in a Hollister School District Board of Trustees meeting on Jan. 23, Myers and her team said the district was now focusing on homeless student populations.
Based on initial research, Myers estimates that “possibly around 160 students are considered homeless students in the district. The district is in the process of deepening their search and will be sharing more information in future board meetings.”
Part of the district’s strategy is to continue to strengthen their multi-tier support system, especially for homeless student populations.
To help with chronic absenteeism, student behavioral issues post-pandemic and homeless student population findings, Myers and her team are now looking into adding another certified behavioral analyst to focus on these issues.
“We typically have it for special needs students, but we are finding that we have unique behaviors from students in the post-COVID era, and we are hoping that an analyst will help with the post-COVID behaviors and be able to create a two-tier response in the classroom,” she said.
We need your help. Support local, nonprofit news! BenitoLink is a nonprofit news website that reports on San Benito County. Our team is committed to this community and providing essential, accurate information to our fellow residents. It is expensive to produce local news and community support is what keeps the news flowing. Please consider supporting BenitoLink, San Benito County’s public service, nonprofit news.
