The California Department of Education (CDE) annually calculates the Academic Performance Index (API) to measure the academic performance and progress of California schools. The API is a single number that ranges from a low of 200 to a high of 1000 and is calculated for schools, local educational agencies (LEAs), and each student group with 11 or more valid scores at a school or an LEA. The API measures improvement from the one year to the next, and each school and numerically significant student groups have an annual target.
The API is currently based solely on the results of statewide assessments. Beginning with the 2015–16 API cycle, state assessment results may only constitute 60 percent of a high school’s API and 40 percent of a high school’s API must be from indicators other than state tests. Therefore, the CDE is producing options to include graduation data and is developing a college and career indicator that will be included in the calculation of a high school’s API.
The CDE is conducting six regional meetings to obtain feedback on changes to the high school API. Registration is not required to attend any of these meetings. PowerPoint PDF on adding new indicators into the API (PDF; 2MB). A brief 20-minute overview of the proposed methodology for incorporating these indicators into the API will be provided at the start of each meeting. All six meetings will be held between 9 a.m. and noon at the locations listed below:
| Date | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
| April 17, 2013 | Sacramento County Office of Education |
9 a.m.– Noon |
| April 25, 2013 | Fresno County Office of Education |
9 a.m.– Noon |
| April 26, 2013 | Contra Costa County Office of Education |
9 a.m.– Noon |
| April 30, 2013 | Los Angeles County Office of Education |
9 a.m.– Noon |
| May 1, 2013 | San Diego County Office of Education |
9 a.m.– Noon |
| May 3, 2013 | Riverside County Office of Education |
9 a.m.– Noon |
Recommendations on college and career measures may also be submitted to the Academic Accountability Unit by e-mail at api@cde.ca.gov.
