Students Meeting or Exceeding Grade-Level Standard in Mathematics (CAASPP), by Grade Level
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- Definition: Percentage of public school students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11 scoring in the standard met or standard exceeded achievement level on the CAASPP Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment for mathematics, by grade level (e.g., in 2019, 32% of 11th graders in California met or exceeded their grade-level standard in mathematics).
- Data Source: California Dept. of Education, Test Results for California's Assessments (Jan. 2020).
- Footnote: Years presented are the final year of a school year (e.g., 2018-19 is shown as 2019). Visit the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) website for detailed information about the CAASPP system and explanations of the achievement levels. The notation S refers to data that have been suppressed because there were fewer than 20 students in that group meeting or exceeding their grade-level standard. N/A means that data are not available.
Learn More About Math Proficiency
- Measures of Math Proficiency on Kidsdata.org
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Kidsdata.org reports the percentage of public school students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11 who meet or exceed their grade-level standard on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment for mathematics.* These data are available by grade level for counties and school districts, as well as by English language fluency, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status for counties.*Visit the CAASPP website for detailed information about the assessments and explanations of the mathematics standards by grade level.
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- Math Proficiency
- Demographics
- Student Demographics
- Disconnected Youth
- Pupil Support Services
- Immigrants
- Impact of Special Health Care Needs on Children & Families
- School Climate
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- Academic Motivation (Student Reported), by Grade Level
- School Connectedness (Student Reported), by Grade Level
- School Supports (Student Reported), by Grade Level
- Caring Relationships with Adults at School (Student Reported), by Grade Level
- High Expectations from Adults at School (Student Reported), by Grade Level
- Meaningful Participation at School (Student Reported), by Grade Level
- Students Who Are Motivated to Learn (Staff Reported)
- School Motivates Students to Learn (Staff Reported)
- School Is a Supportive and Inviting Place to Learn (Staff Reported)
- Adults at School Care About Students (Staff Reported)
- Adults at School Believe in Student Success (Staff Reported)
- School Welcomes and Facilitates Parent Involvement (Staff Reported)
- School Attendance and Discipline
- Reading Proficiency
- High School Graduation
- College Eligibility
- Why This Topic Is Important
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Basic math skills are essential to navigate through life, and competence in mathematics is associated with future academic and economic success (1, 2). Math is more than an academic subject—quantitative literacy is a gateway to opportunity and a foundation for achievement in school, work, and life (1). Nationwide, increasing emphasis is being placed on children's proficiency in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering, recognizing the importance of these fields in the 21st century (2, 3). According to a recent assessment, the U.S. ranked 38th out of 71 countries in math scores among 15-year-olds (4). In California, student math scores consistently rank among the lowest in the nation, even though U.S. and California scores generally have improved since the 1990s (5). Further, large inequities persist in math achievement by student socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, disability status, and English proficiency, statewide and nationally (1, 5). Critical to addressing these gaps, leaders must work to ensure that all students (regardless of social position or circumstance) have equitable access to high-quality learning environments and math instruction (1).For more information on math proficiency, see kidsdata.org’s Research & Links section.
Sources for this narrative:
1. Burdman, P. (2018). The mathematics of opportunity: Rethinking the role of math in educational equity. Just Equations. Retrieved from: https://justequations.org/resource/the-mathematics-of-opportunity-report
2. Murphey, D., et al. (2017). Making math count more for young Latino children. Child Trends Hispanic Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.childtrends.org/publications/making-math-count-young-latino-children
3. Henry-Nickie, M. (2018). The 21st century digital workplace makes mathematics inescapable. Brookings Institution. Retrieved from: https://www.brookings.edu/blog/techtank/2018/09/11/the-21st-century-digital-workplace-makes-mathematics-inescapable
4. Desilver, D. (2017). U.S. students' academic achievement still lags that of their peers in many other countries. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/02/15/u-s-students-internationally-math-science
5. National Center for Education Statistics. (n.d.). The nation's report card. Retrieved from: https://www.nationsreportcard.gov - How Children Are Faring
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In 2019, among California public school students who took the CAASPP Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment for math, 40% met or exceeded their grade-level standard, up from 34% in 2015. Over the same period, the percentage of students demonstrating math proficiency rose in all but six counties, though county-level figures vary considerably, from 20% to 58% in 2019. Statewide, gaps in math proficiency by English language fluency and socioeconomic status are wide. For example, in 2019, students proficient in English were more than three times as likely to meet or exceed their grade-level standard when compared with English Learners, and non-socioeconomically disadvantaged students were more than twice as likely as their socioeconomically disadvantaged peers to score at or above their grade-level standard.
Across all California race/ethnicity groups with data, the percentage of students meeting or exceeding their grade-level standard in math increased between 2015 and 2019. Still, disparities remain. In 2019, nearly three-quarters (74%) of Asian American students in California scored at or above their grade-level standard, compared with one-third or fewer African American/black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic/Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students. - Policy Implications
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Math proficiency has become increasingly important in ensuring that students are prepared for a 21st century workforce and economy (1). Despite sweeping state and national education reforms over the past decade, student math scores in California have not improved substantially and achievement gaps persist by race/ethnicity, income level, English proficiency, and disability status (2). Further, while K–12 funding has increased in California, funding levels remain below the national average, and school districts continue to struggle financially (2).
Policymakers and school leaders face significant challenges in improving math proficiency and reducing inequities among California's 6+ million K–12 public school students, 60% of whom are economically disadvantaged (3). The state is also in the midst of revamping math instruction to align with Common Core standards while facing a shortage of math teachers (4, 5). Continued efforts and investments are needed over the long term to successfully carry out recent reforms, refine them, and ensure educational equity for all students (6, 7).
Policy and practice options that could improve math proficiency include:- Providing all children with access to affordable, high-quality preschool or kindergarten readiness programs, which lay the foundation for later achievement (1, 8)
- Ensuring that the state's Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan, Local Control Funding Formula, and new education standards are implemented effectively at the local level; in particular, ensuring that reforms successfully support low-income students, children of color, those with disabilities, English Learners, and other vulnerable students (2, 6, 9)
- Creating a long-term funding solution for California's K–12 education system, and ensuring equitable distribution of qualified teachers and other school staff (2, 5, 8)
- Continuing to support evidence-based strategies to address the state's shortage of math teachers, such as recruiting new teachers through forgivable loan programs and service scholarships, and creating incentives to retain experienced teachers; also, diversifying the teaching workforce and building the supply of skilled teachers in early education settings (1, 5, 7)
- Ensuring that all students have access to high-quality, culturally responsive, Common Core-aligned math curricula and other classroom supports, and eliminating the practice of assigning students to math courses on the basis perceived abilities; also, providing school districts with adequate resources to improve math instruction, especially in Grades 3 through 8 (3, 7, 10)
- Addressing teacher bias (implicit or explicit) and ensuring that teachers hold high expectations for all students; as part of this, ensuring teachers have opportunities for ongoing, school-level professional development and coaching opportunities (4, 7, 10)
- Continuing to support pre-K–12 schools in creating positive school climates and developing comprehensive, evidence-based systems to address students' physical, emotional, behavioral, and other needs (1, 6, 8)
- Expanding the state's education data system and improving accessibility in order to provide meaningful information to local educators and leaders; also, ensuring that the system effectively tracks the successes and failures of reform efforts (2, 3, 11)
For more information related to math proficiency and improving public education, see the Research & Links section on kidsdata.org or visit EdSource, California Education GPS, and the Institute of Education Sciences What Works Clearinghouse. Also see Policy Implications for other education topics in kidsdata.org's Education & Child Care category.
Sources for this narrative:
1. Murphey, D., et al. (2017). Making math count more for young Latino children. Child Trends Hispanic Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.childtrends.org/publications/making-math-count-young-latino-children
2. Public Policy Institute of California. (2020). California's future: K-12 education. Retrieved from: https://www.ppic.org/publication/californias-future-k-12-education
3. Warren, P., & Lafortune, J. (2019). Achievement in California's public schools: What do test scores tell us? Public Policy Institute of California. Retrieved from: https://www.ppic.org/publication/achievement-in-californias-public-schools-what-do-test-scores-tell-us
4. Fensterwald, J. (2019). 10 California districts struggle, and find some success, as they shift to Common Core math. EdSource. Retrieved from: https://edsource.org/2019/10-california-districts-struggle-and-find-some-success-as-they-shift-to-common-core-math/615109
5. Darling-Hammond, L., et al. (2018). Teacher shortages in California: Status, sources, and potential solutions. Getting Down to Facts II. Retrieved from: https://www.gettingdowntofacts.com/publications/teacher-shortages-california-status-sources-and-potential-solutions
6. O'Day, J. A., & Smith, M. S. (2016). Equality and quality in U.S. education: Systemic problems, systemic solutions. American Institutes for Research. Retrieved from: https://www.air.org/resource/equality-and-quality-u-s-education-systemic-problems-systemic-solutions
7. Burdman, P. (2018). The mathematics of opportunity: Rethinking the role of math in educational equity. Just Equations. Retrieved from: https://justequations.org/resource/the-mathematics-of-opportunity-report
8. Children Now. (2020). 2020 California children's report card: A survey of kids' well-being and a roadmap for the future. Retrieved from: https://www.childrennow.org/portfolio-posts/20-report-card
9. California Department of Education. (2019). California ESSA consolidated state plan. Retrieved from: https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/es
10. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (n.d.). Principles to actions: Executive summary. Retrieved from: https://www.nctm.org/PtA
11. Koppich, J., et al. (2019). Developing a comprehensive data system to further continuous improvement in California. Policy Analysis for California Education. Retrieved from: https://www.edpolicyinca.org/publications/developing-comprehensive-data-system-further-continuous-improvement-california - Research & Links
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- Websites with Related Information
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- American Institutes for Research: Mathematics Education
- California Collaborative for Educational Excellence
- California Collaborative on District Reform. American Institutes for Research.
- California Education GPS. Alliance for Continuous Improvement.
- Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning. WestEd.
- EdSource
- Education Commission of the States
- Education Trust–West
- Institute of Education Sciences: What Works Clearinghouse. U.S. Dept. of Education.
- Just Equations. Opportunity Institute.
- Public Policy Institute of California: K-12 Education
- Stanford Center for Education Policy Analysis
- Teaching and Learning: Mathematics. California Dept. of Education.
- Key Reports and Research
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- Achievement in California’s Public Schools: What Do Test Scores Tell Us? (2019). Public Policy Institute of California. Warren, P., & Lafortune, J.
- Building Systems of Integrated Student Support: A Policy Brief for Local and State Leaders. (2019). America’s Promise Alliance. Wasser Gish, J.
- Changing the Equation: Ensuring the Common Core Math Standards Enable All Students to Excel in California Schools. (2015). Education Trust–West. Banks, A., & LaFors, J.
- College Readiness in the Era of Common Core. (2018). Getting Down to Facts II. Kurlaender, M., et al.
- Getting Down to Facts II. Policy Analysis for California Education.
- Health and Academics. (2019). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- How Family, School, and Community Engagement Can Improve Student Achievement and Influence School Reform. (2017). Nellie Mae Education Foundation. Wood, L., & Bauman, E.
- Making Math Count More for Young Latino Children. (2017). Child Trends Hispanic Institute. Murphey, D., et al.
- Solving California’s Mathematics Problem: Equity, Capacity, and System Improvement. (2018). California Collaborative on District Reform.
- Student Achievement Analysis: Results of the 2017-18 Smarter Balanced Assessments. (2018). Education Trust–West.
- Student Achievement and Growth on California’s K-12 Assessments. (2017). Public Policy Institute of California. Ugo, I., & Hill, L.
- The Essentials of California’s Education System Upgrades. (2018). Alliance for Continuous Improvement.
- The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015: What It Means for Equity and Accountability in California. (2015). Education Trust–West.
- The Mathematics of Opportunity: Rethinking the Role of Math in Educational Equity. (2018). Just Equations. Burdman, P.
- Understanding the Common Core State Standards in California. (2017). EdSource. Harrington, T.
- Unlocking Learning II: Math as a Lever for English Learner Equity. (2018). Education Trust-West. Ruffalo, R.
- County/Regional Reports
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- 2018-19 California County Scorecard of Children's Well-Being. Children Now.
- Annual Report on the Conditions of Children in Orange County. Orange County Children's Partnership.
- Collaborating for Equity: A Scan of the Los Angeles Educational Ecosystem. (2015). Annenberg Institute for School Reform, Brown University. Potochnik, T., & Romans, A. N.
- Important Facts About Kern’s Children. Kern County Network for Children.
- New Measures, Similar Results: Oakland Public Schools and the New State Dashboard. (2018). Oakland Achieves Partnership.
- Orange County Community Indicators Report. Orange County Community Indicators Project.
- Pursuing Equity and Excellence in Mathematics: Course Sequencing and Placement in San Francisco. (2019). California Collaborative on District Reform. Knudson, J.
- San Mateo County All Together Better. San Mateo County Health.
- Santa Clara County Children's Data Book. Santa Clara County Office of Education, et al.
- Santa Monica Youth Wellbeing Report Card. Santa Monica Cradle to Career.
- More Data Sources For Math Proficiency
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- 2020 KIDS COUNT Data Book. Annie E. Casey Foundation.
- California School Dashboard. California Dept. of Education.
- Child Trends Databank: Mathematics Proficiency
- DataQuest. California Dept. of Education.
- Education Data Partnership (Ed-Data) California Dept. of Education, et al.
- Local Control Funding Formula Reports. California Dept. of Education.
- National Center for Education Statistics: Data Tools. U.S. Dept. of Education, Institute of Education Sciences.
- Test Results for California's Assessments. California Dept. of Education.
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