Samo CST scores show improvement in most sections

Samo’s CST scores have shown huge improvement in many categories, while the arrival of the API score has been delayed by concerns about cheating around the state.Elizabeth MebaneStaff WriterAccording to Principal Laurel Fretz, Samo increased its average California Standardized Test (CST) score in English and math subjects by 5 percent this year, a huge increase from last year’s scores.Fretz said the amount of Samo students who received a proficient or advanced score increased by 9 percent in both sophomore Life Science and Algebra II, 10 percent in Geometry, 5 percent in 10th grade English, 8 percent in Chemistry and 14 percent in Physics. Sophomores who took the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) also saw a 5 percent increase in their average score.According to Fretz, although Samo has received students’ individual scores, the school has yet to receive its cumulative Academic Performance Index (API) score due to a state investigation into cheating at other schools.“Because of issues with cheating, the state had to go through every test and all the results from every school,” Fretz said. “There was a state-wide investigation this year because there was so much of that going on, so they held back our API score. No one has their score yet.”Fretz said the API results should be given to the school by Oct. 11. Last year’s API score was 805, and Fretz is hoping to see an increase.English Department Chair Jennifer Pust said that the improvements are due to better student comprehension of the CST as an important test, due to preparatory PowerPoint presentations and handouts designed by school administrators.“My instinct is that we probably did a lot better this year because this was the first year that students really understood why this test was useful,” Pust said.Math Department Chair Marae Cruce said there was also more emphasis on collaboration between teachers last year.“We are constantly trying to improve what our actual pedagogy is, based on what we assess as the students’ needs based on the scores,” Cruce said. “The teachers had more discussions [about] our own teaching as well as what we were going to teach.”Fretz said she is proud of the released data as a reflection of the student body at Samo.“I have a very strong belief that we have great students,” Fretz said. “Our students are so smart, and they try so hard. This year, we’ve made some really great achievements.”emebane@thesamohi.com