About / Sept 11 / Harding University Partnership School 2011 API score imporves 57 points

September 6, 2011
For immediate release

The Harding University Partnership School achieves the second highest growth in the 2011 California API Test scores in Santa Barbara County

The Harding University Partnership School (HUPS) – the partner school of the UC Santa Barbara Gevirtz Graduate School of Education – achieved the second highest growth in 2011 API scores in Santa Barbara County. HUPS’ API score improved 57 points – in the Santa Barbara Unified School District’s history, only one other school has ever improved so impressively in one year (in 2009, Santa Barbara Charter made 66-point growth on the API). The Academic Performance Index (API) is the cornerstone of California’s Public Schools Accountability Act of 1999 and measures the academic performance and growth of schools on a variety of academic metrics. Schools are expected to show a 5-point growth from year-to-year. (Please note all figures are estimates based on early test result data analysis.)

“The Harding University Partnership School community has created new opportunities for its children,” Gevirtz School Dean Jane Close Conoley says. “Their focus on parent and early childhood education and health, social emotional well being, commitment to learning deeply about their place in the world, and excitement about mathematics, science, reading, art, and music have combined to create an example of best educational practices. We are honored to be playing a role in this transformation. We’re all learning a lot about teaching, learning, and thriving.”

In fall 2010 the Harding School officially became known as the Harding University Partnership School – a place of joy, excellence and international focus. Of particular distinction for the neighborhood is the University School’s status as a candidate for the International Baccalaureate Programme, making it the only Santa Barbara elementary school currently pursuing this highly acclaimed approach that emphasizes 21st century skills and international mindedness.

The stellar teaching staff is assisted by graduate level teacher candidates from UCSB, providing greater support for students at every grade level with the latest research-based practices. Faculty researchers and UCSB undergraduate tutors partner with teachers to deliver the latest evidence-based instruction.

Only 155 (out of 5,580 state-wide) elementary schools made the list of 57-points or higher growth on the 2011 API. That makes the Harding University Partnership School in the top 2.7% of elementary schools statewide for API growth.

[Jane Close-Conoley is available for interviews; contact George Yatchisin at 805 893 5789]

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The Harding University Partnership School achieves the second highest growth in the 2011 California API Test scores in Santa Barbara County