Compton's Amazing Improvement in Testing Scores

The Compton school district has surprised everyone by rapidly improving test scores, especially in math and reading. It's not just a little better, but they've made huge strides. It's not just about the numbers though. Compton's story is about a complete turnaround. Most schools saw a drop in scores due to pandemic, but Compton managed to stay ahead. Only a few districts with similar low-income students achieved this, according to a big study by researchers from Harvard, Stanford, and Dartmouth. These researchers looked at data from thousands of schools across 43 states. They found that Compton students are scoring more than half a grade level better in math than in 2019. In 2015, Compton students were scoring way below the state and national averages. But today, they've caught up in math and are close to the state average in reading. This is a big deal, and it's happened over the last decade. What’s the secret? Compton teachers and leaders focus on improving test scores. They use many small tests to figure out where students are struggling and give them extra help. Teachers also get more training. But is this the best way? Some people worry that focusing too much on tests might make school less fun and less helpful in the long run. Still, Compton's leaders believe they've found a good balance. They use tests to help students and teachers understand where they need to improve. Classroom tutors are a big part of this. These tutors help students right away, in class, so they don't fall behind. Money also plays a big role. Compton gets a lot of money from the government for pandemic recovery. They use this money to hire tutors and give teachers more training. Compton's superintendent, Darin Brawley, has led this change since 2012. He focused on improving test scores, graduation rates, and making sure students come to school every day. How much better are Compton students doing now? About 42% of students in grades 3 through 8 are reading at a good level, which is better than L. A. Unified but still below the state average. In math, 37% of students are proficient, which is about the same as the state average. One thing to remember is that even with these improvements, there's still work to be done. The school district wants to keep getting better. Brawley hopes to reach 50% proficiency in math and 60% in reading. He knows they can do better.