Subgroups
Definition of Socioeconomically Disadvantaged
Q. Is the definition of socioeconomically disadvantaged (SED) for Academic Performance Index (API) and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) the same and does it match the definition used in the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program and California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE)?
A. Yes. The same definition is used for API, AYP, STAR Program, and CAHSEE. A student is defined as SED if the student participated in the free or reduced-price lunch program (also known as the National School Lunch Program or NSLP) or neither of the student’s parents was a high school graduate.
Definition of Numerically Significant
Q. For AYP, is the definition of “numerically significant” the same for participation rate and percent proficient?
A. No. "Numerically significant" for participation rate for schools or Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) with 100 or more students enrolled on the first day of testing is defined as:
- 100 or more students enrolled on the first day of testing
- OR -
- 50 or more students enrolled on the first day of testing who make up at least 15 percent of the total population
"Numerically significant" for percent proficient for schools or LEAs with 100 or more valid scores is defined as:
- 100 or more students with valid scores
- OR -
- 50 or more students with valid scores who make up at least 15 percent of the total valid scores
A school or LEA with fewer than 100 students enrolled on the first day of testing or fewer than 100 valid scores has no numerically significant subgroups for that indicator.
RFEPs and English Learners
Q. Are reclassified fluent-English-proficient (RFEP) students considered part of the English learner subgroup?
A. For both API and AYP, RFEP students are considered English learners if they have been designated RFEP and have not scored at the proficient level or above on the California Standards Test (CST) in ELA for three years. The count of three years does not start until after the student has been reclassified as RFEP. For the API similar schools ranks calculation, however, RFEPs are not included as English learners. For both API and AYP, RFEPs are not counted when determining whether the English learner subgroup is numerically significant.
English Learners Twelve Months in U.S. Schools
Q. Does the criterion of “twelve months or less” for English learners as a target group apply, even though they are part of another student subgroup, such as the SED or the Hispanic subgroup?
A. Yes. English learners who have been in the U.S. for less than 12 months are excluded from percent proficient or above calculations for the AYP and from the API count of valid scores, starting with the 2006 Base API. However, they are not excluded from the AYP participation rate calculations.
Definition of Students with Disabilities
Q. How is the students with disabilities subgroup defined?
A. A student is included in the students with disabilities subgroup if the student receives special education services and has a valid disability code on the STAR Program or CASHEE student answer document.
