Top California schools lose less ground as statewide test scores tumble

Schools in California took an expected step backward Wednesday when math and English scores plummeted in the first release of scores from a new set of standardized tests.

The declines were attributed to more challenging exams introduced as part of the "Common Core" standards, now rolling out in states across the country.

But a closer look at those numbers shows that some schools struggled much more than others.

Schools that delivered the highest test scores on the old state tests, such as elite charters and magnets, saw only small reductions on the new tests when compared to other schools. Decreases in math and English scores were more than two times higher at lower-performing schools, according to a Times analysis.

The data show that students at schools with a track record of success performed better on the new computerized tests, which are designed to emphasize deeper thinking of concepts in math and language arts.

Schools in which 95% or more of students met target standards under the old math exams dropped 11 percentage points on average. That decrease was about three times higher for schools where 60% to 65% of students previously rated proficient.

Overall, schools where 55% to 75% of students were rated proficient under the old tests saw the biggest decreases.

For example, at Canyon Elementary, a Los Angeles Unified campus in Santa Monica, the percentage of students meeting targets in English declined by only 2 percentage points, from 95% to 93% of students.

In contrast, at La Merced Intermediate, a Montebello middle school, 64% of the students tested met or surpassed the old standards in math. Under the new test, that rate dropped to 18%.

To look up how any school performed in the new exams, visit The Times' online database.

Times staff writer Sandra Poindexter contributed to this report.

Twitter: @ryanvmenezes