Raising the Bar: Hart District's Push for Better Test Scores

The William S. Hart Union High School District is on a mission to boost student performance in English, math, and science. Despite some progress, a significant number of students are still falling short of state standards on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) tests. The district is performing better than L. A. County and the state in some areas, but there's still a lot of room for improvement, especially in math and science. English seems to be the strongest subject, with about 70% of Hart district students meeting or exceeding state standards. That's better than L. A. County's 51% and California's 49%. However, math is a different story. Only 49% of Hart district students are meeting or exceeding standards, compared to 39% in L. A. County and 37% statewide. Science is also a challenge, with just 48% of Hart district students hitting the mark, while L. A. County and California hover around 32-33%.To tackle these issues, the district is trying out new strategies. One approach is creating "building-thinking classrooms, " where students collaborate to solve problems with teachers acting as facilitators. This method is already being used in math classes at schools like Canyon High. Additionally, the district is in its second year of a professional learning community model, where teachers and principals work together to figure out what students need and how to help them succeed. But it's not just about what happens in the classroom. The district has also implemented "I Need Time" or student health days into school schedules. These are opportunities for students to get extra help during school hours. Teachers are doing their part by inviting and targeting students who need assistance. However, some board members, like President Joe Messina, believe that the issue might go beyond the school walls. He's noticed that some parents don't prioritize education as much as they should. Maybe students need tutoring, or parents need support in helping their children succeed. Whatever the case, Messina believes the board has a responsibility to remove any roadblocks that might prevent teachers from giving students the resources they need.