Local high school students showed mixed results in recent evaluations of academic achievement, according to a report presented at the Coronado Unified School District.
High School Principal Karin Mellina said students significantly improved their scores for college and career readiness, but recorded substantially lower scores in a state assessment of student performance.
In a report to the school board, Mellina said the college and career readiness indicator increased by 7% from last year.
“We are 77% prepared in comparison to the state, which is 45% prepared,” said Mellina.
According to Mellina’s report, two-thirds of the 255 graduates last year attended a four-year university.
And, four out of five 2024 CHS graduates met A-G requirements, following additional course offerings, where students fulfill specific courses required to enroll in the state university systems.
Mellina also reviewed the current senior class’ California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) results from last year.
Based on a dip in CAASPP scores –13% lower for English language arts and 7% lower for math – Mellina said she believes students are not prioritizing the exam which follows lots of other testing “because there’s not really an incentive.”
Still, Mellina said Coronado High is piloting the STAR assessment as a program to provide more support for students who need intervention.
Heat Day Concerns
In a separate report, Deputy Superintendent Donnie Salamanca said the board will be reassessing the district’s heat day guidelines to adhere to new Occupational Safety and Health Administration Heat Illness Prevention requirements.
Some Coronado classrooms do not have air conditioning so the school day is shortened when the temperature is forecast to be 90 degrees or higher for more than one day.
Salamanca said the district acknowledges its board policy is 10 years old and hoped to provide the board and community an opportunity to provide feedback.
Four teachers addressed the board, describing their classroom experiences on sweltering summer days.
“We make it work the best we can,” said Matthew Smith, a teacher at Coronado Middle School. “When the heat of the day hits, our students are, for lack of a better word, demoralized. They’re heads down, frequent water breaks, it’s really hard to get them excited about anything.”
Salamanca said more information will be provided next month before the board approves changes in January.
In other matters:
- Senior Director of Learning Megan Battle announced the district received a $1.25 million grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity to support computer science curriculum through 2029.
- The board recognized outgoing Trustee Whitney Antrim, who completes her four-year term next month and attended her last meeting on Nov. 21.
- The board recognized Kristine McClung, a founder of the Coronado School of the Arts (COSA). A celebration of life will take place on Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. at the COSA theater.
The next regular board meeting is Friday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m.
