LA HABRA : District to Continue Assessment Testing

Despite Gov. George Deukmejian’s veto of a bill to continue funding California Assessment Program testing in school districts statewide, the La Habra City School District will keep on administering the exams.

In fact, said Supt. Richard Hermann, the district will also consider extending the testing to all grade levels.

A year ago, alarmed by low test scores, district officials launched an extensive review of their teaching program. Hermann and school board trustees have been pleased with the results of that effort and anticipate improvements in this year’s test results.

Proceeds from the state lottery will be used to fund the tests. The district will use a new testing method developed by a private Southern California firm called CAS2 that incorporates both the CAP tests and the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills, said Hermann.

He said this will eliminate the need for two separate batteries of tests.

While Hermann is confident that results from last spring’s test will show that students made large improvements, he warned that “the challenge for the coming year’s testing will be even greater because of the new test’s greater level of difficulty.”