Sequoia Elementary School Dashboard
California is field testing a new website designed to help communities across the state access important information about K–12 districts and schools called the California School Dashboard. This web based system features easy-to-read reports on multiple measures of school success, including test scores, graduation rates, English learner progress and suspension rates. The Dashboard is part of California's new school accountability system based on 2013's Local Control Funding Formula. The Dashboard is a key part of California's commitment to transparency, continuous improvement and equity for all students.
What’s different?
In the past, accountability systems for districts and schools relied solely on test scores. The “old” Academic Performance Indicator (API) is replaced by the Dashboard. But one test taken on one particular day doesn't provide a complete picture of all the ways schools are helping students succeed. Think of it this way: You can’t drive a car by only watching the speedometer. You also keep your eye on the road, check the mirrors, monitor the gas tank and pay attention if the engine light comes on. Similarly, the Dashboard provides information on different aspects of student performance, which will give a more complete picture of a school’s and district’s progress. State indicators will be represented by color-coded pie charts that are performance indicators.
What’s next?
The Dashboard is deliberately designed to be a work in progress: Metrics and reports will be added over time. The exciting changes taking place in education will take time to fully implement. While schools are making progress in many key areas there is always more work to do. The Dashboard is part of an ongoing conversation with our community on both how we're doing and how we can do better. Meeting goals will take a united effort, and we look forward to working with our families to ensure success for every student. Information about the Dashboard has been shared at your school site and will continue to be shared throughout the 2017-18 school year at your school site. You can also get more information about the CA School Dashboard at the California Department of Education website: www.cde.ca.gov.
