API What is the definition of API? Use the Information Guide pdf posted on the website for your answer. 2011/12 Academic Performance Index Reports - Information Guide, May 2012

The API is the method used within the California school system to measure academic performance relative to peer schools. The API is a scale that ranges from a high 1000 to a low of 200. Placement between these two metrics indicates the overall performance of the school relative to peers. Within the state of California, the target API score is 800. The API is based on an improvement model. The API from one year is compared to the API from the prior year to measure improvement. This is important as schools that are lagging will not have high scores at the beginning of the assessment. However, over subsequent years, the school should be better able to improve its score to become more aligned with that of its peers. If not, then fundamental changes can be used to help facilitate the overall process. Each school has an annual target in which to achieve. In addition, all numerically significant student groups at a school also have targets. Under this guise, certain demographic areas will be counted with the overall assessment score reflecting the changing composition of schools. The API is used to rank schools. A school is compared to other schools statewide and to 100 other schools that have similar opportunities and challenges. Scores are assessed at how well then can grow to accomplish this number or how much they exceed this number by.

The API is a good gauge of performance as it judges performance in an unbiased manner. Each school is subject to the same grading and assessment criteria. This ultimately allows the California school system to make corrective actions not bases on emotions, but rather on thoughtful analytics. The API also provides a means for California to set reasonable improvement goals for each individual school within a predetermined district. By setting individuals goals rather than lofty goals, the California schools system can be assist lagging schools while maintaining the prominence of others. This flexibility in regards to the API and is subsequent use allows schools and leaders...

The evaluation process, due primarily to the numerical nature of the API, is not subjective, but rather, based on quantitative data that can be substantiated.
In addition, the California Department of Education provides the API reports as a means of compliance for it Accountability Progress reporting system. The overall APR system is designed to be an integrated approach to many of the federal and state educational requirements. The API index helps facilitate this overall process by requiring information regarding the state, schools, and significant student population demographics. As such, the API, based on statewide testing, serves as a means of measuring academeic performance and growth.

The API is calculated by converting a student's performance on statewide assessments across multiple content areas into points on the API scale. This method is particularly helpful as it does not overly stress one metric over another. However, through the use of weighting, one metric may have a larger result on the overall score. Through this system, the nationwide assessment can better detail and pinpoint respective areas of improvement. These points are then averaged across all students and all tests with the result being the overall API score. An API is calculated for schools, and for each student group with 11 or more valid scores at a school. The API requires student group accountability to help foster and address the achievement gaps that exist between traditionally higher scoring student groups and that of low scoring student groups. Alarming statistics provide an illuminating perspective in regards to African-American and Latino children. For one, they are lacking behind their Asian and White counterparts in most metrics of academic success. Many children, especially those within the African-American and Latino do not have access to the same quality educational facilities and teacher as do their white counterparts. Extensive tests reveal that in many subjects many Asian students both abroad and domestically are outperforming their American counterparts. Below are the weights…