California School Dashboard to be Released in March
 

Schools and Districts across San Benito County are looking forward to the launch of the new accountability measurement, the California School Dashboard, from the California Department of Education. In January, the State Board of Education approved the California School Dashboard.
 

The California School Dashboard, a web-based interface that looks at numerous measurements of how schools are performing, is a part of the California’s continuous improvement and accountability system that integrates rigorous state standards, online assessments and a new school funding formula.
 

Information contained on the California School Dashboard was released to districts in February and will be available to the public this month.
 

The California School Dashboard provides a more comprehensive and transparent picture of how schools are doing. It replaces the former accountability measure, the Academic Performance Index (API). The School Dashboard covers a range of areas that provide data on statewide measures, as well as local indicators.
 

Academic data for schoolwide and districtwide testing in English language arts and math from the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) are a part of the School Dashboard. Statewide measurements also include rates for graduation and suspensions, English learner proficiency, college/career readiness and chronic absenteeism. Local indicators include school climate, parent engagement and the implementation of the new state standards. County offices of education also will provide data on coordination of services for expelled students and foster youth.
 

This will be the first generation of the new accountability model. The state Department of Education will take feedback from parents, educators and community partners. Look for the new Dashboard come mid-March at www.caschooldashboard.org

Krystal Lomanto, San Benito County Superintendent of Schools