Area school districts did better than average on the 2004 California English Language Development Test of English learning students. Sixty-six percent of students tested in Arcadia Unified School District scored in the advanced categories.
81 percent of area schools met their growth targets on the California state Academic Performance Index (API). However, 35 percent of West San Gabriel Valley schools failed to meet the federal accountability targets determined by Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. See chart on page A6 for Arcadia Unified School District progress.
A chart shows the API scores for West San Gabriel Valley schools for 2004 on page A4. 85 percent of schools in the West San Gabriel Valley maintained or increased their Academic Performance Index ranking compared to schools across the state.
Many public schools in the west San Gabriel Valley have new teachers and administrators. Arcadia Unified welcomes more than 30 new teachers and a new principal at Arcadia High School.
Arcadia Unified School District test scores among highest in Southern California, according to new statewide test results released by California Department of Education. Arcadia scored 40% higher than the state average for math and 26% higher in English language arts/literacy.
A special report on the Asian population of the San Gabriel Valley. Arcadia is a city with an Asian population near or above 50 percent. A chart shows Asian presence in the San Gabriel Valley and the percentage who speak English "not well" or "not at all."
West Nile Virus has been discovered in two samples of mosquitoes collected at Kahler Russell Park in Covina and at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia.
A report on fiscal year spending at area school districts shows South Pasadena Unified and La Canada Unified spend the smallest proportion of their general fund budgets on central administrative costs. Arcadia Unified and Temple City Unified spend the largest percentage of their budgets on teacher salaries.
Arcadia Unified School District has launched new online application for its meals program. For each student that qualifies for free or reduced-priced meals, the savings can equal more than $1400 per school year. Under the new Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) adopted by the state, school districts will receive additional money for each student that qualifies. Arcadia High School students that qualify can also waive AP and SAT fees, graduation will be free, and get a reduced rate for Grad Night.
A dead bird in Arcadia and two dead birds in Temple City were found to be infected by West Nile virus. The virus can be spread to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes.
A study released today by the Public Policy Institute of California found students' progress toward English proficiency is linked to their native language and socioeconomic status more than the length of time they've been in the country. A comparison chart of San Gabriel Valley schools is included.
Due to lower enrollment, Immaculate Conception School (K-4th grades) in Monrovia and Annunciation School (5th-8th grades) in Arcadia will merge their resources and student bodies to stay open.
San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District wants to control the West-Nile virus epidemic by sending Pasadena police helicopters over Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Covina, Monrovia and West Covina. They identified 94 green pools and stagnant bodies of water yesterday. Owners will be ordered to clean them up or face a $1000 fine. Dirty swimming pools are the most significant source of mosquito breeding.
Arcadia Unified School District Board elections next week. At issue are dual enrollment and transparency. There are four candidates runnings for two seats.
Arcadia schools start on Tuesday, Sept. 2 along with other area schools. Due to state budget cuts students in the Arcadia Unified School District will no longer be buses to school for free. Enrollment for Arcadia 9,720.
Arcadia Unified School District is looking to cut 10% of its budget for district offices and school sites in preparing the budget for the 2003-2004 school year.