Stevenson PACT Test Scores

PACT's API scores have traditionally been high. They are one indicator of success that is important in part because it is important to our district, which generously funds us. We teach the California standards, and pay close attention to our scores. Our goal is much larger than that. Scores are one measure, one piece that has its limitations. Our mission is to develop the whole child - well rounded, thinking citizens who take responsibility for themselves and the world around them, who solve problems and can synthesize information to come up with new ...

Stevenson PACT Test Scores

2010-11 Test Scores.

The 2010-11 API and AYP scores for all school districts and sites have been publicly announced. Last year, Stevenson’s API score was 899. We were thrilled as this was certainly a reason for celebration! When we took a closer look at our sub-scores, we realized we still had some areas for improvement. Last year we focused diligently on improving scores for students who were not performing at grade level. We offered after-school enrichment and intervention programming in addition to our tiered intervention programs held during the school day.

When we received our scores for this year, we were thrilled to learn that our efforts paid off: Our focused student population scores increased by 21 points! Unfortunately, our overall API changed from 899 to 874. The staff and I, while disappointed about this change, choose to look at it as an opportunity to improve our instructional strategies.

One of the ways the district is supporting the improvement of classroom instructional strategies is by implementing EDT, or Explicit Direct Instruction. This model uses a direct approach to teaching children new concepts. The focus is on stating a learning objective for each lesson, using pair-share as a method to allow students to discuss the concept, checking for understanding in real time so teachers can adjust their teaching in the moment, and direct modeling of how to complete each step of the skill being taught. Teachers had initial training in EDI prior to the start of school and will be receiving training throughout the year with professional coaching and support. This week was our first module of training, which is why your child had a sub this week. We will have two more modules throughout the year.

Previous Test Scores and Stevenson PACT Philosophy

Please note: Standardized test are just one indicator of student success. Although Stevenson PACT focuses on educating the "whole" child (both academic and social-emotional), Stevenson PACT children score comparably to other top-ranking schools in the Mountain View-Whisman School District.

Prior to 2009, PACT school shared a campus with other Mountain View-Whisman Schools - first Slater Elementary and then Mariano Castro Elementary. For this reason there is no history of test scores on GreatSchools before 2009.

To calculate PACT scores at Castro, the District pulled out the scores from the PACT kids one by one. Then the Stevenson PACT Site Council collates the scores, does the official calculations to generate the API score, and then shares that information. The process usually takes about a month longer than the other schools' scores.