During a recent government meeting, Dr. Beatson presented an enthusiastic overview of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) results, highlighting significant growth in student performance across various grades and demographics. The CAASPP, which replaced the old STAAR testing in 2014, assesses students' mastery of English, math, and science standards through a computer-based format that adapts to individual student performance.

Dr. Beatson emphasized the importance of the assessment in identifying achievement and opportunity gaps, aligning with the district's mission to enhance educational equity. Celebrating the district's achievements, he noted an impressive 7.7 percentage point growth in math scores from the previous year, with particularly notable gains in 11th grade math, which saw a 10-point increase.

The presentation also highlighted the success of various schools and student groups. For instance, Benicia High School recorded an 11-point increase in math, while Mary Farmer Elementary School achieved remarkable growth in both English Language Arts (ELA) and math, with increases of 16 and 17 percentage points, respectively. The middle school demonstrated the most growth across the district, with nearly all student groups showing improvement.

Dr. Beatson addressed the importance of monitoring subgroups, such as socioeconomically disadvantaged students and those with disabilities, to ensure that all students are receiving adequate support. He explained that students can belong to multiple categories, which helps in tracking progress among marginalized groups.

Despite the successes, Dr. Beatson acknowledged areas needing improvement, particularly among English learners in ELA. He noted that many of these students are at lower proficiency levels, which impacts their performance on assessments.

The meeting concluded with a reflection on the mindset shift within the district, attributing the growth to a collective commitment from teachers and administrators to enhance instructional practices and utilize data effectively. Dr. Beatson expressed optimism for continued progress, emphasizing the district's goal to be a leader in educational achievement.