In today's education world we hear a lot about Accountability.  The California State Board of Education adopted Curriculum Standards which all schools are expected to use as a framework for their curriculum.  Districts and schools are held accoutnable for teaching those standards.  Students are tested annually on their progress towards mastering those standards.

In California there are many different acronyms around testing and accountablity below are a few of the most common:

API - Academic Performance Index

A score ranging from 200 - 1000 that represents a school's results on statewide assessment.

AYP - Adequate Yearly Progress

Each state is required under NCLB to implement an accountability system that will ensure that Adequate Yearly Progress is being made towards closing the achievement gap.  Targets which schools and districts are measured on are the testing participation rates, the percent of students ranking proficient and above in both  Language Arts and Math, and the API or Annual Performance Index.

CAHSEE - California High School Exit Exam

This test is first given sophomore year in high school.  Success in both the math and language arts portions are required to receive a high school diploma.  This is a requirement by the California State Board of Education.

CELDT -  California English Language Development Test

Potential and continuing English learners take the CELDT, which assesses proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing annually.  Students are identified in one of five proficiency levels, which are aligned with state and ELD standards.

NCLB - No Child Left Behind

A federal program addressing assessment, accountability adn teacher quality.  The measure are intended to close achievement gaps between all students.  NCLB requires all students to be Proficient and Above by 2014 on the STAR.  Teachers must be highly qualified which includes obtaining full state teacher certification and holds a license to teach, holds a bachelor's degree adn has demonstrated competence in academic subjects in which they teach.

STAR - Standardized Testing and Reporting

California standardized tests are designed to to assess students' achievement of California's content standards in these areas, which are grade and course specifice.  The State Board of Education has adopted performance standards and students are placed at one of five performance levels. These are the tests used to determine API, AYP and success towards NCLB.