​​SAN JOSE, CA – This week, the State of California released the results for the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) in both English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics as well as state chronic absentee data.

Students in grades 3-8 and grade 11 took the CAASPP in the spring of 2023. Student results for both subject areas are reported as standard exceeded, standard met, standard nearly met, and standard not met. 

Per the 2023 CAASPP data, 59% of Santa Clara County students met or exceeded the standard in ELA.  When disaggregated by grade level, the percentages of students who met or exceeded standard ranged from a low of 55% (3rd grade) to a high of 66% (11th grade). ELA results have a general upward trajectory with percentages of students meeting and exceeding standards increasing across grade levels. 

In mathematics, 51% of students in Santa Clara County met or exceeded the standard. The low was grade 11 with 46% and the high was 58% in third grade. Mathematics has a general downward trend in the data with the number of students meeting and exceeding standard steadily decreasing as the grade level increases.

Statewide 47% of students are meeting and exceeding standard in ELA and 35% in math. As compared to the statewide averages, students in Santa Clara County scored 12 percentage points higher (59%) in ELA and 17 percentage points higher (51%) in math.

When student group data is disaggregated, it reveals significant differences in achievement. English Learner students meeting and exceeding standard was reported as 15% in ELA. In mathematics, students who identify as Asian, White or Two or More Races (or are categorized as Not English Learners, Not Socioeconomically Disadvantaged, or Not Students with Disabilities) continue to experience rates significantly above the countywide average.

The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is the regional lead for the California Collaborative of Learning Acceleration (CCLA)​ project, a statewide professional learning initiative assigned to accelerate student learning using a variety of evidence-based strategies in lesson design, social-emotional learning, and culturally sustaining pedagogy. The CCLA is focused on building the capacity of educators to support all students in grades TK-12, regardless of gender, race, learning differences, and socio-economic background through equitable, inclusive, evidence-based strategies intentionally integrated system-wide.

“The goal of California's learning acceleration system is that every student develops mathematics, literacy, and language development knowledge as well as student agency within the learning environment,” said Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, County Superintendent of Schools. “The intention of CCLA is not remediation, but rather to use proven strategies that address achievement needs and allow students to make rapid progress.”

Chronic absentee data shows an upward trend, especially since the pandemic. Students within Santa Clara County have a chronic absenteeism rate of 19.3%. While still below the state average percentage of 24.9, it is an area of concern being addressed by school districts and community partners. 

“The overall countywide data reveals areas of needed improvement and opportunities to address underlying causes of the disparities,” said Dewan. “Efforts to address chronic absenteeism, promote student wellbeing and partner to ensure basic needs are met can positively impact attendance and learning. High-quality instructional programs are essential for students to achieve. Statewide investments in community schools, expanded learning opportunity programs, and the expansion of Transitional Kindergarten and universal prekindergarten offer a foundation for focused improvement efforts.”

Chronic absenteeism is identified as missing 10% or more of the instructional days that a student was enrolled. Left unaddressed, chronic absence dramatically increases the number of students struggling with reading, writing and math and escalates dropout rates. 

The SCCOE in partnership with the district attorney’s office hosts the Santa Clara County Attendance Collaborative (SCCAC), which shares policy and legal updates, best practices and resources​ as well as collaborates on strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism. Additional resources and information regarding attendance and engagement can be found at https://www.sccoe.org/yhw/attendance/Pages/default.aspx. “Examining the root causes of chronic absenteeism and providing the support and resources needed to address these causes is a priority for the county office of education,” Dewan said. 

Student performance data, chronic absentee data and other measures of school and district progress can be found on the California School Dashboard. ​