Recent testing results showed that Capistrano Unified posted the greatest decline in elementary school API scores in the District's history. Many of the schools saw double digit drops. To call it anything other than shocking would be an understatement.
So what can we attribute this incredible failure on the part of our teachers and schools? What is happening at the elementary school level? Secondary schools saw their API scores increase. Congratulations Aliso Niguel! So the problem is clearly at the elementary school level.
The last school board was on watch when the District experienced an overall increase in its API scores. Of course, we all know the teachers' union didn't like that last Board because it imposed across the board salary cuts in an attempt to keep the maximum number of teachers working and to hold the lid on class size.
The teachers' union did a complete flip flop. It once argued that smaller class sizes was best for kids. Then it argued the opposite when it meant they would have to take a pay cut to keep junior teachers working.
Teachers got their pay restored and many teachers were let go. Elementary schools saw rapid growth in class size as a consequence. Now they've posted scores that show a rapid drop in progress. It is no surprise that so many parents are flocking to charter schools in an effort to get their children a quality education.
If I'm wrong, then the only other explanation I can come up with is widespread cheating on the part of our local public schools in years past. I don't believe that is true.
At this time, we are left with many more questions that we have answers.
