Neal Dow Elementary School

 
Scale: % at or above proficient

Grade 2

English Language Arts
 45% (2008)
 45% (2007)
 58% (2006)
 60% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 48% in 2008.

Math
 62% (2008)
 56% (2007)
 69% (2006)
 73% (2005)
The state average for Math was 59% in 2008.

Grade 3

English Language Arts
 39% (2008)
 44% (2007)
 44% (2006)
 42% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 38% in 2008.

Math
 55% (2008)
 60% (2007)
 64% (2006)
 46% (2005)
The state average for Math was 61% in 2008.

Grade 4

English Language Arts
 74% (2008)
 69% (2007)
 50% (2006)
 61% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 55% in 2008.

Math
 69% (2008)
 73% (2007)
 41% (2006)
 51% (2005)
The state average for Math was 61% in 2008.

Grade 5

Science
 70% (2008)
 44% (2007)
 38% (2006)
The state average for Science was 46% in 2008.

English Language Arts
 59% (2008)
 41% (2007)
 49% (2006)
 57% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 48% in 2008.

Math
 58% (2008)
 50% (2007)
 58% (2006)
 61% (2005)
The state average for Math was 51% in 2008.

Grade 6

English Language Arts
 52% (2008)
 50% (2007)
 52% (2006)
 45% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 47% in 2008.

Math
 35% (2008)
 45% (2007)
 43% (2006)
 43% (2005)
The state average for Math was 44% in 2008.

About the tests

• In 2007-2008 California used the California Standards Tests (CSTs) to test students in English language arts in grades 2 through 11; math in grades 2 through 7; science in grades 5, 8 and 10; and history-social science in grades 8 and 11. Middle and high school students also took subject-specific CSTs in math and science, depending on the course in which they were enrolled.
• The CSTs are standards-based tests, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of California.
• The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the tests.

Testing in California: An Overview

Compare with test results from nearby schools

The California Reading List: Helpful information to support your child's reading

 

 
The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.

Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests

• In 2007-2008 California used the California Standards Tests (CSTs) to test students in English language arts in grades 2 through 11; math in grades 2 through 7; science in grades 5, 8 and 10; and history-social science in grades 8 and 11. Middle and high school students also took subject-specific CSTs in math and science, depending on the course in which they were enrolled.
• The CSTs are standards-based tests, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of California.
• The different student groups are identified by the California Department of Education; if there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.
• The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the tests.

Testing in California: An Overview  

 
Scale: % at or above the 50th percentile

Grade 3

Reading
 39% (2008)
 53% (2007)
 41% (2006)
 41% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 38% in 2008.

Math
 52% (2008)
 61% (2007)
 66% (2006)
 46% (2005)
The state average for Math was 56% in 2008.

About the Tests

• In 2007-2008 California used the California Achievement Test (CAT/6) to test students in grades 3 and 7 in reading, language, spelling and math.
• The results for reading and math are displayed on GreatSchools profiles.
• The CAT/6 is a norm-referenced test, which means it measures how well students in California scored in comparison to their peers across the country.
• The goal is for all students to score at or above the 50th percentile (the national average) on the test.

Testing in California: An Overview

Compare with test results from nearby schools  

 
The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.

Scale: % at or above the 50th percentile

About the Tests

• In 2007-2008 California used the California Achievement Test (CAT/6) to test students in grades 3 and 7 in reading, language, spelling and math.
• The results for reading and math are displayed on GreatSchools profiles.
• The CAT/6 is a norm-referenced test, which means it measures how well students in California scored in comparison to their peers across the country.
• The goal is for all students to score at or above the 50th percentile (the national average) on the test.

Testing in California: An Overview  

2007 API Statewide Rank
The API Statewide Rank ranges from 1 to 10. A rank of 10, for example, means that the school's API fell into the top 10% of all schools in the state with a comparable grade range. The 2007 Statewide Rank is based on the results of tests that students took in spring 2007.

2007 API Similar Schools Rank
To create the Similar Schools Rank, the California Department of Education compares this school's test scores to 100 schools across the state with similar demographic profiles. California uses parent education level, poverty level, student mobility, student ethnicity and other data to identify similar schools.

 

2007 API Base By Subgroup 776 789 741   All Students White Socio- econ. Dis- advant. The results shown here reflect the school's Base API for the 2007-2008 school year for all students and for each of the major subgroups of students as reported by the state. The 2007 API Base is calculated using test score results from spring 2007.

 

API Growth (2006-2007)
778 (2007 Growth) 779 (2006 Base) The Academic Performance Index (API) system is based on year-over-year test score performance through a two-year cycle. The Base score is for the first year and the Growth score is for the second year. Comparing the API Growth to the Base shows whether or not this school's test score performance improved between spring 2006 and spring 2007 (as reported in August 2007). The API ranges between 200 and 1000, with 800 as the statewide goal for all schools.

 

API Growth Target (2006-2007)
-50-25 0255075100 -1 (2007 Growth result)     5 (2007 Growth target)

 

	This School	Elementary Schools That Met Targets Statewide
Met its 2007 schoolwide growth target	No	76%
Met all subgroup growth targets	No	63%

• Each school is assigned an API Growth target by the state, determined by calculating 5% of the difference between the Base API and 800, or a minimum of 1 point growth. Schools with APIs at or above 800 must maintain a minimum API of 800.
• To encourage schools to improve achievement for all students, the state computes APIs and sets improvement targets for the different student subgroups at the school.
• The state reports APIs for schools that test a minimum of 85% of eligible students in any subject.

Testing in California: An Overview

Compare with API results from nearby schools

2006-2007 API subgroup results