GO Public Schools WCC Statement on 2017 SBAC Results
2017 Results Point to Persistent, Staggering Achievement Gap Between Different Student Groups
Richmond, CA – September 27, 2017 – Today, the California Department of Education released the results of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, after a month-long delay caused by a data issue.
Officially launched in Spring 2015, this computer adaptive test is designed to effectively assess and understand student knowledge. This year’s results offer some insight into how the public schools that nonprofit group GO Public Schools serves are performing as they work to prepare our students for the future.
Across West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD), District-authorized charters, and relevant Contra Costa County-authorized charters, Math and English scores both declined from last year: fewer than 1 in 4 (24.7%) of West Contra Costa students met or exceeded standards in Math, and just over 1 in 3 (35.6%) students were proficient in English; last year’s results were 25.0% in Math and 36.2% in English.
The test results also clearly show a persistent and staggering achievement gap between students from different backgrounds. For example, White students in West Contra Costa are more than four times more likely to be meeting or exceeding standards in Math than Black students, and this has remained consistent since SBAC testing began a few years ago. Of our community’s English Learner students, only 6.2% are proficient in English and 6% in Math.
“These results are unacceptable. They represent a failure to meet our moral obligation to young people and their families. This is not a problem with one school; rather, it is an epidemic, systemic-failure rooted in historical inequity and oppression that disproportionately affects our low-income students and students of color,” said Natalie Walchuk, Executive Director of GO Public Schools West Contra Costa. “The Family Leaders we work with are asking that our school system ensure all children be prepared to compete and thrive in college and career. In these results, we see a crisis and a clear call to action.”
GO Public Schools recognizes that this test and the associated standards are relatively new, and that some teachers are not yet adequately prepared to teach these new standards. We are committed to doing our part in the next school year to support our teachers, administrators, and district staff, while holding the highest standards for quality instruction and student impact for those with the privilege of serving West Contra Costa students.