See the results for your child’s school

By John Fensterwald for EdSource.org. Republished with permission

The California Department of Education this week released the annual California School Dashboard, the state’s multidimensional, multicolored look at student, school and district achievement. 

The dashboard was designed to offer parents a quick look at student results, as well as to provide data for guiding school improvement and for holding districts accountable. Trying to serve these different purposes has created a data system that’s complex and comprehensive, often useful, but also daunting for first-time parent users.

The California Department of Education has translated the dashboard into multiple languages and produced dozens of flyers, videos, and an annually updated Dashboard Communications Toolkit. This is a good place to start. 

Here are some answers and tips to help parents navigate the dashboard experience.

What’s the purpose of the state dashboard?

The dashboard gives an extensive look at every school, charter school and school district’s yearly performance as measured by ratings on eight state indicators. They are standardized test scores, of course — English Language Arts and math in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11, English learners’ progress, and, in 2026 for the first time, science.   

Along with high school graduation rates, there are ratings for chronic absences, though only through grade 8, and suspension rates; both measures underscore the importance of engagement and school climate to student success. 

There is also a measure of how well high schools prepare students for college and careers. It has expanded to include 14 measures. They include: 

• Satisfying the A-G course requirements for admissions to UC and CSU campuses
• Passing multiple AP and International Baccalaureate courses
• Successfully completing two semesters of credit-bearing college or CTE courses
• Attaining a seal of biliteracy or a seal of biliteracy
• Completing a CTE pathway or pre-apprenticeship program
• Passing the Leadership/Military Science and Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test
• Demonstrating work-based learning. 

What’s the point of using colors?

Rating performance by color serves a double purpose. There are five: blue signaling the highest achievement, green, yellow, orange, and red signaling the lowest performance. Each color reflects a blend of two factors, evenly weighted: the current year’s test score or rate, and the change from the preceding year to credit improvement or signal a decline deserving attention.

A school’s goal is to achieve green or blue for any indicator, but a sharp change from the results of students the year before can elevate an otherwise yellow score to green or lower it to orange.

Clicking any indicator on a district or school’s overview page will lead to additional details.

For example, clicking the math score “odometer” for San Jose Unified reveals that students averaged 25.4 scale points below the threshold for proficiency or “meeting standard” in math in 2025-26 — a significant gap. Its students also gained 1.5 points from the year before. The combination is rated orange, two levels below green. The same template applies to other indicators. 

Why is there no overall rating for a school’s or district’s performance?

Unlike other states’ dashboards, the State Board of Education chose not to give a summative or top number or rating for a school or district, in order not to overemphasize test scores, at the expense of other important measures. It also wanted to draw attention to achievement gaps among student groups, which would be hidden by focusing on an average score for all students.

How do student groups factor into the dashboard?

Tracking achievement gaps among 15 different student groups, including eight racial and ethnic groups, drives the dashboard. Every student group with a statistically valid number (usually a minimum of 30) receives a color rating on every indicator in every school and district.

While five of San Jose Unified’s student groups scored in the orange range, English learners, foster youth, long-term English learners and students with disabilities scored in the red band. White students achieved a green rating, and Asian students and students with two or more races were rated blue.

Every district’s dashboard includes grids — the 5×5 Placement Reports — that lay out the color rating for every school in the district on every indicator. Here’s the 2025 math 5×5 grid for San Jose’s Unified, for example (The 2026 grid will be released Dec. 15). It shows that of the district’s 40 schools on the grid, 12 rated orange, 10 were yellow, seven were green, six were blue and five were red.

As with all districts with student groups receiving a red rating on an indicator, San Jose Unified must then address low achievement in its Local Control and Accountability Plan, better known as the LCAP.  That’s the three-year improvement plan in which districts must list, among other requirements, an action item, including funding, for every student group with a red rating.

Can you compare districts’ ratings on the state dashboard?

No, but you can compare schools within each district. 

Other organizations have included a comparison tool in modifying the state dashboard. 

What are local indicators?

The dashboard includes priorities for which there are no statistically valid comparable statewide data or assessments, but nonetheless are vital for successful schools. These include family engagement, school climate and access to a broad course of study. 

The State Board of Education requires that districts analyze each local priority and report back to the public annually. Examples are the results of local school climate surveys and the district’s actions to improve public engagement. For example, county offices of education must report on how well they are coordinating services for foster youths and expelled students.

How does dashboard information drive improvement?

Districts in which at least one student group is rated red on two or more priority areas, such as low reading scores and high chronic absenteeism, are designated eligible for “Differentiated Assistance.” They are encouraged to seek guidance from county offices of education or the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence, a small state agency, on how to improve. Differentiated Assistance is voluntary and applies only to districts.

Since the dashboard’s first year, in 2017-18, more than three-quarters of districts, charter schools and county offices have qualified for differentiated assistance, with more than 80% of those identified two or more times. 

In 2026, only 144 school districts will qualify for differentiated assistance, down from 418 last year. Recognizing a need to focus on fewer districts with more intensive, effective help, the State Board revised the criteria, and districts will receive assistance for three years, instead of one year. 

Districts are selected based on poorly performing subgroups as well as districts’ overall scores receiving red ratings. Most of those qualified because of the low ratings for students with disabilities and long-term English learners, and in some charter schools, for low ratings of Hispanic students, according to Department of Education analysis.

John Fensterwald writes about education policy and its impact in California.

Proficiency in math, English language arts rose slightly, remains below pre-Covid levels

By Zaidee Stavely, Lasherica Thornton, And Yuxuan Xie for EdSource.org. Republished with permission

Top Takeaways

• – Student proficiency in math and English language arts rose slightly, though remains below pre-Covid levels, according to newly released California standardized test scores.
• – Achievement gaps persist between Black and Latino students and white and Asian students.
• – It’s likely still too early to see improvements from investments in early literacy.

California students’ proficiency in math and English language arts follows the same trend in 2026 as the past few years: incremental improvement from the year prior, with the majority of students below grade-level standards.

The state’s release of 2025-26 student test scores on Thursday showed slight growth in several areas, but California still hasn’t reached the elusive milestone of raising scores back to pre-Covid levels.

In English language arts, 49.3% of students scored proficient or advanced in 2025-26, up just a half percentage point from the previous year, according to the latest standardized test results released Thursday.

In math, the number of students earning a proficient or advanced score increased by 1.2 percentage points, with 38.4% earning proficient or advanced. 

Prior to the pandemic, in 2018-19, 51.7% of California students met or exceeded state standards in English language arts, and 39.7% were proficient in math.

Fewer students — 36% — achieved a proficient or advanced score on the science test, though it was the subject with the most improvement. The portion of students meeting standards in science rose 3.3 percentage points since last year, and 6.1 points since before the pandemic.

“Today’s results tell a story of continued progress, but also of the work that remains ahead,” Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the State Board of Education, said in a statement. “Our responsibility now is to build on this momentum and ensure that progress reaches every student and every community.”

Black and Latino students made larger gains than white and Asian students but yawning racial and ethnic achievement gaps remain. Black students were the only group to surpass pre-pandemic proficiency levels in both math and English. 

While education leaders are often encouraged by academic growth, the pace of growth — half a percent to a little over a percent in most cases — is “unacceptable,” said Troy Flint, chief information officer at the California School Boards Association. 

“It does not suggest that we have the right strategic or operational infrastructure in place to properly support our school districts and county offices of education in accelerating student achievement,” Flint said. “We need serious reforms to state level education governance and operations and assessment, or we will never deliver for our kids at the level that we need.” 

Disparities persist among different racial, ethnic, socioeconomic groups

The number of proficient Black and Latino students remains far below their white and Asian peers, and similar gaps exist between students based on income.

The number of Black students reaching proficiency in English language arts increased 0.9 percentage points from last year to 33.7%. The number of proficient Latino students rose to 39.6%, a gain of 0.8 percentage points from last year. Asian students’ proficiency fell by 0.9 percentage points to 73.5%. About 61.7% of white students scored proficient in English language arts, a figure essentially flat from the prior year. 

In math, about 21.5% of Black students scored proficient, a 1.5 percentage-point improvement from 2025, the highest jump across the four student groups. About 27% of the state’s Latino students scored proficient, 1.2 percentage points higher than 2025. Asian students (70.5% math proficiency) and white students (51.4%) saw more modest growth.

Although socioeconomically disadvantaged students improved in both subjects, most still did not meet standards. About six in 10 (61.1%) did not meet the English standards. Nearly three in four (72.6%) did not meet the math standards. 

The achievement gap between students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged and the rest of their peers remains at about 30 percentage points in both subjects.

Melissa Valenzuela-Stookey, research director at EdTrust West, called the test scores “sobering.”

“Once again, the results show glaring gaps in outcomes for Black and Latino students, Native American students, English learners and students from low-income households, which suggests that our systems still aren’t providing the supports and opportunities they need to reach their full potential,” Valenzuela-Stookey said.

No improvement in early reading yet

The percentage of California third graders who scored proficient or advanced on the English language arts test stayed flat, from 44.2% in 2024-25 to 44.1% in 2025-26.

The state has invested millions in improving how schools teach children to read, but it is likely too soon to see many results from the new policies. Last year, schools began screening all students in grades K-2 for risk of reading difficulties to provide support for kids who need it. 

The children who benefited from that last year won’t take standardized tests until this school year. The State Board of Education only recently approved a list of literacy training programs for districts to use.

“While the state has gotten a lot more focused on improving reading, it’s not surprising it wouldn’t have an impact yet,” said Marshall Tuck, CEO of EdVoice and one of the advocates that pushed for the reading reforms. “The earliest you would see impacts from those policies directly would be this school year.”

English language proficiency

More than 133,000 English learners —15.4% — tested as proficient on the English Language Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC) in 2025-26. Under a new state law, those students are now eligible to be automatically reclassified as fluent and proficient in English. The percentage of English learners who achieved proficiency was similar to last school year.

English learners who have not yet achieved proficiency in English tend to do poorly on standardized tests, but once they are reclassified as fluent in English, they often do better on tests than native English speakers.

In 2025-26, 60.9% of former English learners achieved proficiency in English language arts, compared to 53.5% of native English speakers.

Martha Hernandez, executive director of Californians Together, a nonprofit advocacy group for English learners, said the scores show that the state needs to do more work to make sure English learners have full access to the curriculum in all subjects and to move more students to proficiency. 

“Students who become proficient in English do not stop becoming part of the English learner success story,” Hernandez said. 

Dashboard released simultaneously

For the first time this year, the California Department of Education released the test scores at the same time as the “dashboard,” the state’s accountability system. The dashboard measures schools’ improvement over time on test scores and on other measures, such as graduation, college and career readiness, suspension and chronic absenteeism.

The state gives schools a color of the rainbow ranging from red (signaling the least achievement or improvement), orange, yellow, green and blue (signaling the highest achievement).

The state gave schools an overall score of orange for English language arts, and yellow for math and science.

Jessica Sawko, director of education at Children Now, advocated for science to be included in the state’s accountability system because she said science helps prepare students for college and career.

She said it was “heartening” to hear that there was improvement in science scores, but the percentage of students achieving proficiency is much too low.

“Here we are at not even 40% of kids achieving proficiency or better. That’s more than half of the kids not there yet, and yet we’re at a yellow?” she said.

Antioch Unified School District’s Performance Overview Chart

Learn more about the California Dashboard by reading A parents’ guide to understanding the 2026 California School Dashboard  | EdSource.

Discuss 2027-28 General Fund Budget with projected $11.2M deficit, consider closing Marina due to annual subsidy

Receive reports on APD Reform, Youth Services, Delta Landing homeless hotel in Pittsburg, vote on 3% COLA for final employee group

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting Tuesday night, Oct. 13, 2026, the Antioch City Council will deal with 315 pages of a full agenda with 18 items, including 16 items on the Consent Calendar. They will begin with a Special Meeting at 5:00 p.m. to discuss and give input to staff on development of the Fiscal Year 2027-2028 General Fund Budget. Then at 7:00 p.m. their Regular Meeting will begin.

2027-28 General Fund Budget Development

During their Special Meeting, the Council will discuss the 2027-28 General Fund Budget Development which shows the City facing a $16.25 million deficit before a $5 million transfer from the Budget Stabilization Fund for a projected net $11.25 million deficit for the fiscal year.

One item of controversy is the possible closing of the Antioch Marina. According to the City staff report, “as mentioned at the August 25th session, the non-departmental budget reviewed included a reduction in the subsidy to close the Marina and provide for only debt service repayment and the existing full-time staffing at the Marina, which would need to be re-assigned to other areas within Public Works. If the Marina were closed, this could potentially provide $185K in budget savings in 2027/28, however the loss of a recreational facility and potential harmful business impact to the restaurant at the Marina may negate the financial savings.”

Presentations

Toward the beginning of the Regular Meeting the Council will be provided with three presentations including:

• Antioch Police Department 3rd Quarter Report and the APD Reform Update;
• Youth Services Programs, Investments and Community Impact Final Report for FY 2025-26; and
• Delta Landing: Program Operations, Service and Outcomes report by Contra Costa Health for the homeless hotel in Pittsburg at the former Motel 6 site on Loveridge Road.

Consent Calendar

Under the Consent Calendar the Council will vote on accepting completion for the Antioch Water Park Concrete improvements 2026 Project (Item 15.L.) and Pool Resurfacing Project (Item 15.M.). Plus, they will vote on rejecting all bids and re-evaluating the scope of the Installation of Park Signage Project (Item 15.N.) because the lowest responsive bid that could be accepted was over $86,000 more than budgeted. Finally, the Council will vote on approving the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Antioch and the Confidential Unit for a 3% COLA at a total cost of $111,883, with $92,419 from the General Fund, and approving a Fiscal Year 2026/27 budget amendment to cover the additional costs (Item 15.P.). As previously reported, the Confidential Unit includes a variety of staff positions: the Deputy City Clerk, Account Specialists, Analysts, Assistants, Coordinators, Specialists and Technicians. The 26 employees in the Unit have been working without a contract since September 30, 2025. See City’s Master Salary Schedule.

Reestablishing Economic Development Department

Under Item 16, the Council will vote on reestablishing a standalone Economic Development Department separate from Community Development, determine funding for an Economic Development Director position with an amended job classification and amended salary range, an Economic Development Specialist, and assigning a Department budget.

Downtown Security Services

Finally, under Item 17, the Council will give direction to staff on reestablishing private security services for downtown Rivertown. That includes initiating a competitive Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process for private security services; determining the geographic scope of services, including whether coverage should be limited to City-owned properties and designated public areas in the Rivertown/Downtown area or include additional areas throughout the City; and determining the days and hours of operation for private security services. The council will decide on a budget during a future meeting.

Meeting Details

The Special Meeting begins at 5:00 p.m. and Regular Meeting begins at 7:00 p.m., both in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street, in historic, downtown Rivertown and can be viewed via livestream on the City’s website, on Comcast cable TV channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99 or on the City’s YouTube channel.

See the complete agenda packet with staff reports here.

Antioch High hosts Parade, Street Percussion & Jazz Competitions but not eligible for awards

By Antioch Unified School District

It was a hot day but that didn’t stop 24 school music groups from giving great performances.

On Saturday, Oct 3, 2026, the 37th annual Delta Band Review started the day of competition with a parade in front of Antioch Middle School on D Street.

A total of 20 high school marching bands competed. The event also included a jazz contest, with four schools competing.

The Deer Valley High School Teal & Black Regiment marched away with the second place award in the Parade division 2A. The Parade and Jazz Competition awards were presented in Eels Stadium.

Antioch High School’s Pride of Antioch Marching Band and Color Guard kicked off the day but, as event host, wasn’t eligible for awards.

Thanks to the many who made this event so special.

Organized by Antioch Band Backers Association

The Delta Band Review is organized by the Antioch Band Backers Association.

In a letter to “Band Members, Directors, Coaches and Guests, AHS Band Director Brian Allen Hobbs and Association President Johnny Hackenkamp wrote, “On behalf of the Antioch Band Backers Association, it is our absolute pleasure to welcome you to the 37th Annual Delta Band Review!

“Today, we invite you to experience the spectacular sights, sounds, and magic of marching and jazz bands. From the vibrant performances on the streets of Antioch to the captivating sounds inside the Beede Auditorium, this event promises an unforgettable celebration of music and community. The Parade and Percussion competitions will take place at Antioch Middle School and the City Library, while the awards ceremony will be held at Eells Stadium on the AHS campus.

“The success of this event is a testament to the dedication, passion, and support of so many individuals. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers, donors, band families, and community members whose hard work has made today possible. Be sure to check out our special thanks page, where we recognize these amazing contributors.

“Once again, welcome to Antioch High School. We are excited to have you here and wish the best of luck to all the bands competing today!

For more information visit www.deltabandreview.com and www.antiochbandbackers.com.

See more photos on the AUSD Facebook page post on Oct. 5th.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

To pay for competitions and equipment

By Deer Valley High School Band Boosters

The Deer Valley High School Instrumental Music Program, an award-winning group of local musicians, invites the community to its second annual Mattress Sale on Saturday, October 10, from 10 am to 4 pm, as the DVHS North Gym is transformed into a professional mattress showroom. Supporters can test and purchase 25+ top brand-name mattresses, adjustable bases, bedding and pillows, while providing funds for the Marching Band – Teal & Black Regiment and Orchestra, to travel and perform throughout California.

“One in four families will buy a mattress each year, and we are thrilled that people can find one at a great price, while supporting music in our school,” said Band Director (and Deer Valley alumnus) Brian Poole. “Through this fundraiser, we hope to make a significant dent in our travel and competition costs and be able to upgrade and repair instruments for our talented musicians,” continued Poole.

The sale is backed by a fundraising firm that fills the gym with brand new top mattress brands including Purple, Helix and Beautyrest. The company offers a lowest price guarantee, since it doesn’t maintain a retail store and instead helps local organizations raise money. A full 50% of the profits goes to the music program.

“Young people will love the beanbag chair that transforms into a mattress,” said Band Boosters President Kathy Barlow. “Come support your back with a new mattress and support our kids.”

Financing, delivery, setup and removal of one’s old mattress are offered. And delivery is available throughout the U.S., so that family and friends elsewhere can support the music program.

Event visitors will enjoy live entertainment provided by The Teal Tones, Deer Valley’s Jazz Band, and its orchestral Chamber Ensembles.

The Deer Valley Music Program has a long history of entertaining the community in local parades and performances and participates in competitions and throughout California.

The Deer Valley HS Music Mattress Sale will take place Saturday, October 10 from 10 am to 4 pm, at the North Gym on its campus at 4700 Lone Tree Way, in Antioch. Just show up at the sale, or RSVP here for a 10% discount coupon: https://sanjose.cfsbeds.com/events/deer-valley-high-school

Community invited to anniversary celebration and ribbon cutting October 3

By Martha Goralka, Executive Director

ANTIOCH, Calif. — Delta Learning Center invites the community to celebrate its 50th anniversary on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Antioch. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m.

Established in 1976, Delta Learning Center has provided five decades of educational support to learners in East Contra Costa County. The nonprofit offers personalized, one-on-one tutoring by credentialed teachers, helping students strengthen academic skills and build confidence.
The anniversary celebration will recognize the students, families, educators, volunteers and community supporters who have contributed to the center’s history while looking ahead to its continued service.

Current and former students, families, neighbors, local businesses and community partners are invited to attend and help celebrate this milestone. Members of the media are welcome to cover the celebration and ribbon cutting.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026

Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ribbon Cutting: 10:30 a.m.

Location: Delta Learning Center

275 W. Tregallas Road

About Delta Learning Center Founded in 1976, Delta Learning Center is a nonprofit tutoring organization serving East Contra Costa County. The center provides individualized educational support for prekindergarten, K–12 and adult learners. For more information, visit http://www.deltalearningcenter.org or call 925-757-1310

By Lt. Franco Cesar, Antioch Police Department

ANTIOCH, Calif. — On September 26, 2026, at 8:56 p.m., the Antioch Police Department Dispatch Center received multiple calls reporting five to six gunshots in the 5400 block of Prewett Ranch Drive.

While officers were responding to the area, dispatch received a report that a 16-year-old male had been dropped off at a local hospital with a gunshot wound. Additional officers responded to the hospital and contacted the victim, a Brentwood resident. The victim told officers he was leaving a house party on Prewett Ranch Drive when the shooting occurred.

The victim was treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Officers processing the scene on Prewett Ranch Drive confirmed the shooting was connected to the nearby house party. During the preliminary investigation, officers also discovered that two nearby residences had been struck by gunfire. No additional injuries were reported.

There is currently no suspect information available. The Antioch Police Department is actively investigating the incident and working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Anyone with information about this incident, or anyone who has home surveillance or dashcam footage from the area around the time of the shooting, is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department.

Those wishing to remain anonymous may also submit a tip. Case No.: 26-9254

Cops will be on, provide extra patrols in and around campus today

By Antioch Police Department

The Antioch Police Department is aware of messages and rumors circulating regarding a possible act of violence at Antioch High School today.

We are working closely with Antioch High School administrators and school security and are actively investigating the information that has been reported. At this time, we have no information that supports the rumor.

As a precaution, Antioch Police officers will be present at the school today, and officers will conduct additional patrols in and around the campus. We will remain in close communication with school officials throughout the day.

We understand that messages like these can be concerning for students, families, and staff. We ask everyone to rely on information from official school and Antioch Police Department sources and to avoid sharing unverified rumors or screenshots on social media.

See something, say something. If you have firsthand information, screenshots, messages, or other specific information that may assist the investigation, please contact the Antioch Police Department at (925) 778-2441. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Please call 9-1-1 for an immediate threat or emergency.

Our Dispatch Center is receiving a high volume of calls regarding this situation. If you do not have new information to report or need police assistance, please monitor official school and Antioch Police Department channels for updates rather than calling Dispatch for a status update.

We will provide additional information if there are significant developments.

Service • Integrity • Community