A new state report shows San Diego County schools continue to make gains on state tests -- but the majority still can't reach California's academic benchmark. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has the story.
The Academic Performance Index measures school districts' achievement every year. The state wants every school to score at least 800 points.
In San Diego County, only 14 out of 39 school districts met that target last year. And ten districts actually lost ground last year compared to the year before.
State School Superintendent Jack O'Connell believes more career technical programs could help boost the performance of high school students. The index shows too many teenagers are falling way behind.
O’Connell: We need to make sure that students in our high schools understand why we're asking them to learn a part concept or part skill and so it has to be relevant to the real world. Hands-on learning is the way many of our students can learn the best.
O'Connell says more career tech programs are in the works. He says schools that don't make consistent improvements from year-to-year might face federal or state sanctions.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
