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Vasquez High principal credits attendance and targeted supports as test‑score gap persists
Summary
Vasquez High principal Reyna Smith told the Acton‑Agua Dulce board that attendance and internal benchmark growth have improved, while state ELA proficiency for the school's 11th graders (29%) lags the statewide rate (48%); staff cited staffing, testing stamina and targeted interventions as focus areas.
Dr. Reyna Smith, principal of Vasquez High School, presented enrollment and performance data to the board and described several interventions the school says are driving improvements in student engagement.
Smith reported enrollment up about 24 students to roughly 418 and described demographic makeup (about 58% Hispanic, 32% white). She told trustees that internal benchmark data show substantial growth — “close to 80%” of current 11th graders are at or near grade level by internal indicators — even though state ELA proficiency for Vasquez 11th graders was 29% compared with 48% statewide. Smith said that finding the reason for the gap is an ongoing focus and noted math teacher recruitment remains a challenge.
Smith also highlighted reduced suspensions (12 this year versus 23 at the same point last year) and expanded supports including counseling, MTSS staffing and extracurricular pathways. Board members praised the presentation and asked for follow‑up detailing specific action plans and targets for translating benchmark gains into state assessment outcomes.
