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Newark Unified reports first multi-test SBAC gains in years, highlights subgroup progress
Summary
Newark Unified assistant superintendent reported districtwide gains on state tests: English language arts rose from 44% to 49% meeting or exceeding standards, math improved to 39%, and science edged up; district officials credited data-driven interventions and highlighted strong subgroup growth.
Miss Allard, assistant superintendent for Newark Unified School District, told the City Council on Feb. 11 that the district posted its first across-the-board gains on state assessments since 2016, with 49% of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards in English language arts, up from 44% the prior year.
"I'm excited to highlight the academic progress that took place across Newark Unified School District as we continue our collaborative efforts to close the opportunity gap in NUSD," Miss Allard said, adding that math results improved to 39% and science showed a modest increase.
The presentation said the district's increases were driven by four key goals aligned with its three-year Local Control and Accountability Plan and by site-level interventions. Miss Allard said those interventions are tailored to student "stories," with tiered supports at every school.
The district highlighted notable subgroup gains: African American students recorded a 12-point increase in ELA and a 6-point increase in math; Hispanic students showed a 5-point ELA gain and 4 points in math; white students improved 11 points in ELA and 3 points in math. The presentation also identified individual site gains at Birchgrove Intermediate, Schilling, Lincoln and Newark Middle School.
Council members asked for additional subgroup breakdowns and for details on targeted interventions. Council member Catanccio asked specifically about data for Asian Pacific Islander students; Miss Allard said that full subgroup data is available and that she would share those figures with the council.
Miss Allard said the district uses the state's Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and the California Science Test (CAST) to measure progress and that the district's strategy emphasizes data-driven instruction and targeted supports.
The council thanked the district for the presentation and invited school staff to return with follow-up detail. No formal action was taken at this meeting.
