Students post gains in standardized tests

Anaheim students, like their peers statewide, showed significant improvements in the Academic Performance Index scores this year, primarily because they were tested on what they have learned in the classroom and not on the Standard 9 test, which compares them to other students nationally. Thirteen of the 16 Anaheim Union High School District campuses met their goals. In the Anaheim City School District, 22 of 23 schools met their goals and all nine Magnolia School District campuses met their goals for the 2003 academic year. Six Magnolia district schools are eligible to apply for California Distinguished School honors. They are Baden Powell, Disney, Low, Marshall, Salk and Schweitzer. Superintendent Paul Mercier said he is pleased with the overall improvement of the schools. "This is solid academic performance ... of our schools," Mercier said. "Our schools are getting tremendous academic performance with populations inclusive of a high number of English-language learners and those receiving free or reduced lunch." The Magnolia School District serves students in kindergarten through sixth grade, primarily in West Anaheim. Current enrollment is about 7,000 students. In the 2002-03 school year, about 5,000 students were eligible for free or reduced lunches. Trustee Esther Wallace echoed Mercier's excitement at Monday night's school board meeting.