UPLACE: Schools achieve despite demographics

SHIRLEY ZURFLUH; University Place
Last updated: January 29th, 2010 12:27 AM (PST)

I read Patrick O’Callahan’s blog posting (Inside Opinion, 1-22) about changing demographics in University Place School District with great interest.

As he notes, student diversity and the number of students receiving free/reduced meals has increased substantially over the past 10 years. What’s important for readers to understand, however, is that during that same period, student achievement has increased notably. For example, in 1999, UP students were scoring below the state average on the 10th-grade WASL math test. By 2009, they passed the math WASL at a rate of 9.8 percent above their state peers.

Also during this same period of time, students taking the rigorous Advanced Placement exams have increased their passing rate from 43 percent to 69 percent, while at the same time increasing the number of students taking the AP test.

UPSD does not accept more challenging demographics as an excuse for low student achievement. Please vote yes on Feb. 9, so this trend toward excellence can continue.

Originally published: January 29th, 2010 12:27 AM (PST)