With school back in session for the 2024-25 year, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board of Education will be wrapping up student test scores and financial reports from the prior year, as well as commending one campus on its big 2023-24 achievement.
Thursday’s meeting of the board features the Q1 Lag Metrics Report, highlighting key findings on student performance from the 2023-24 year, including scoring from the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics.
District-wide, 73% of students either met or exceeded standards in the CAASPP ELA examinations, the same percentage as 2022-23 and a 2% drop from the 2021-22 scores. Franklin Elementary School (85% meeting or exceeding standards) overtook the top spot in ELA performance, beating out Samohi (84%) and Webster Elementary School (80%). The lowest-performing campuses from the exam were Will Rogers Learning Community (55%) and Malibu Elementary School (57%).
For the CAASPP math exam, 60% of students met or exceeded standards, a jump of 2% from 2022-23. Franklin (83%) and Webster (80%) were again among the top-performing schools, while Malibu High School (46%) and Malibu Middle School (50%) were among the lowest-performing in mathematics.
Another study session on Thursday will be a joint session with the district’s independent Financial Oversight Committee, appointed to review the past year of district financial matters. The committee had six committees for this past school year, working in areas like budget recommendations, bond oversight, Measure R reporting and process review, and financial communication and reporting.
John Adams Middle School (JAMS) will be commended by the board during the meeting, including its recognition as part of the California Distinguished Schools Program. The school was one of 293 middle schools and high schools chosen across the state for the honor, with California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond stating the chosen schools were "exceptional" in both closing the achievement gap and demonstrating student performance.
JAMS staff will also spotlight its social emotional learning progress, including the "five core competencies" of self-management, self-awareness, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. The staff notes that these core constructs have a "positive impact on students’ academic achievement," as well as improved attendance and reduced negative social behaviors. Attendance was noted as "an area of growth" for the campus, with chronic absenteeism at 18.8%, something social emotional learning "as a Tier I intervention" looks to hone in on.
Finally, the board will be making an administrative appointment for a Special Education Coordinator, and will be adopting resolutions recognizing both National Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month and "championing Santa Monica and Malibu’s workforce" through a Labor Day resolution.
thomas@smdp.com
