2001 Budget Analysis: School Accountability

The Academic Performance Index (API) is the cornerstone of the PSAA. Its purpose is to measure a school's academic performance and the growth in performance over time. Recently, the second annual set of API scores was released, allowing the first API growth scores to be calculated.
https://lao.ca.gov/analysis_2001/education/ed_10_sch_acct_anl01.htm

^[PDF] Next Steps for Improving State Accountability for Alternative Schools

The state sets annual API “growth targets” for schools scoring below 800, produces a statewide API ranking of all schools, and develops a “similar schools” API ranking to compare demographically alike schools.
https://lao.ca.gov/reports/2015/edu/alt-ed/improving-accountability-051615.pdf

2001 Budget Analysis: K-12 Databases

The API Student-Level Database May Have Great Potential We withhold recommendation on the $5 million Academic Performance Index (API) database proposal because of the significant number of unanswered questions about how the API database will operate.
https://lao.ca.gov/analysis_2001/education/ed_12_Databases_anl01.htm

Next Steps for Improving State Accountability for Alternative Schools

During this period, however, API scores were not reported for many alternative schools. Figure 4 shows that in 2013 (the last year in which the state calculated API scores), the state published API scores for only half of alternative schools, compared to 97 percent of traditional high schools.
https://lao.ca.gov/reports/2015/edu/alt-ed/improving-accountability-051615.aspx

^[PDF] Key Issues Facing the State Board of Education

LAO 60 YEARS OF SERVICE 2L E G I S L A T I V E A N A L Y S T ’ S O F F I C E February 2, 2005 Major Features of the State Public Schools Accountability Act " Academic Performance Index (API) • Ranks schools in deciles 1 through 10 based on results from student assessments. " Governor’s Performance Awards • Provides rewards to schools that improve their API scores
https://lao.ca.gov/handouts/education/2005/Key_Issues_Facing_SBE_020205.pdf

^[PDF] School Accountability: Changes to State and Federal Systems

A score of 800 refl ects student achievement between the “basic” and “profi cient” levels.  For schools and districts below 800, state sets growth targets equal to closing 5 percent of gap to 800 or an increase of 5 points (whichever is greater).  API Not Intended to Only Include Test Scores  Initial law required at least 60 percent of API score to be based on
https://lao.ca.gov/handouts/education/2016/School-Accountability-Changes-to-State-Federal-Systems-022416.pdf

A New System of Support for Low-Performing Schools

Similarly, the state has set annual targets for API but allows schools and districts to satisfy the requirement if at least one point of growth on the API is made. The annual API target is set at 620 for all schools in 2007 –08 and increases by 30 API points each year.
https://lao.ca.gov/2008/edu/low_performing_schools/lowperforming_schools_0608.aspx

^[PDF] An Overview of LCFF and Agricultural Education Grants

Background: K-12 Funding System 2L E G I S L A T I V E A N A L Y S T ’ S O F F I C E March 18, 2014 LAO 70 YEARS OF SERVICE ; State Holds Schools Accountable Based on the Academic Performance Index (API) „ The API measures and ranks the academic performance of schools based primarily on student assessments. ; State in Process of Refining API to
https://lao.ca.gov/handouts/education/2014/Overview-LCFF-Agriculture-031814.pdf

^[PDF] The Highly Qualified Charter School Administrator and Teacher Act

State Assigns API Rank to Most District and Charter Schools. Based on their API score, most district and charter schools receive an annual API rank. The API rank compares the school to all schools with the same grade span (elementary, middle, or high school) in the state.
https://lao.ca.gov/ballot/2013/130761.pdf

LAO Analysis of the 2002-03 Budget: Education, California School Information Services

The SDE currently calculates the API using an averaging approach. If the Legislature decides to eventually switch to a value-added measure of student achievement in the API, CSIS would likely need to be involved because it would allow the state to track students over time.
https://lao.ca.gov/analysis_2002/education/ed_13_CSIS_anl02.htm