Just over half of students in California failed to meet English and Language Arts standards last school year, according to new state test scores. And two-thirds fall short in the Math tests. That’s close to last year’s scores. 3rd through 8th graders, as well as 11th graders, now take the new tests, which are in their third year in the computer format. But local schools are above state averages, for the most part. In the Nevada Joint Union High School District, Superintendent Louise Johnson says 68% of her 11th graders met or exceeded state English standards, compared to 56% statewide. It’s only 38% for Math, but that’s 9 points higher than the state average. She says an important factor is that’s the only high school grade that’s still tested…

click to listen to Louise Johnson

Meanwhile, only 43% of students in the Grass Valley Elementary School District met or exceeded English standards and just 39% for Math. But District Superintendent Eric Frederickson says he’s seeing steady progress with the more rigorous standards at all grade levels. And teachers also need time to adjust…

click to listen to Eric Frederickson

Also…there’s over 80% of 11th graders in the Nevada Joint Union High School District with reading, writing, and listening comprehension that’s near or above the standard. In the Grass Valley Elementary School District, it’s near or above 70%.