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Ocean View superintendent: CAASPP results steady, absenteeism rising; trustees press for fixes
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Hofer told the board the district’s 2024–25 CAASPP and Dashboard results showed steady ELA and science ratings but math lagging and chronic absenteeism worsening; trustees questioned gaps for English learners, students with disabilities and the high independent‑study volume and urged programmatic and calendar responses.
Superintendent Dr. Hofer presented the Ocean View School District’s 2024–25 state accountability results, summarizing Smarter Balanced assessment performance and the California School Dashboard before fielding detailed trustee questions about attendance and equity.
Dr. Hofer said district performance remained "steady with about 57 percent of students scoring levels 3 and 4 in language arts, 50% in math, and in science...47 percent." He said the Dashboard shows ELA and science at green, math at yellow, and that English learner progress improved from orange to yellow while chronic absenteeism worsened to orange.
The presentation highlighted persistent achievement gaps: "When we examine our student groups...our lowest performing group are English learners and students with disabilities," Dr. Hofer said, and he noted a reclassification rate of about 11.4% for English learners. He tied science gains to a recently board‑adopted Inspire Science curriculum and ongoing professional development.
Trustees pressed for explanations and remedies. Clerk Clayton Tarvin said the district’s unduplicated pupil rate is "right around 59%" and called the combined trends "a big problem" that may require state‑level attention. Tarvin asked whether independent‑study processes and teacher workflows could be modernized; Dr. Hofer acknowledged high independent‑study usage (roughly 11,000 days cited in the presentation), said the district has updated packets and uses Google Classroom at middle schools, and described free childcare and expanded after‑school enrichment as steps to support families.
Vice President Souders and Trustee Gersage asked whether I‑Ready and other local assessments correlate with SBAC; Dr. Hofer said there is a statistical correlation but not perfect alignment and said teachers are being engaged to discuss local tools. Trustees discussed whether calendar changes or year‑round approaches could address absenteeism; Dr. Hofer said calendar decisions are negotiated and the district is collaborating with feeder high schools on alignment.
Board members asked for follow‑up materials, including a clearer inventory of which student groups are driving the lowest scores, and for a list of portables by age and planned facility work tied to the bond closeout. Several trustees also urged a renewed emphasis on foundational reading instruction and better conditions for teachers administering state tests (reminding educators that state tests are untimed). The board requested action steps and goals to be returned in January after further data analysis.
