Education Briefs Education Briefs (August 26, 2005)

Reception for new school chief

By now, most residents have probably heard that the Mountain View-Whisman School District has named Dr. Maurice Ghysels the new superintendent. But those who would like to put a face with the name have the chance Aug. 29.

That evening, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Ghysels and the district's board of trustees are hosting a "Getting to Know You" reception. The event is planned as an informal get-together at which staff and parents of Mountain View-Whisman students can enjoy refreshments and meet the new superintendent.

The reception will be held at the Mountain View City Hall rotunda, 500 Castro St., with translation services and free childcare available. -- Katie Vaughn

Math, English scores up in district

Mountain View-Whisman students are doing better in English-language arts and math this year than the last, according to recently released 2005 California Standardized Testing and Reporting, or STAR, evaluation results.

The tests rank students in five levels -- advanced, proficient, basic, below basic and far below basic -- with a state goal of all students achieving levels of proficient or higher.

Of the second through eighth graders at Mountain View-Whisman who took the English language/arts portion of the tests, 49 percent scored at the proficient or advanced levels, up from 45 percent in 2004. The top scorers were students in fourth and seventh grades, of whom 55 percent ranked in the top two tiers, while only 42 percent of sixth graders reached those levels.

Students in grades two through seven took the mathematics test, with 52 percent scoring proficient or advanced. The ranking was an improvement from the 49 percent who achieved the levels last year. The highest-scoring students were second graders, with 52 percent in the two top levels. Sixth graders, with 37 percent achieving those rankings, fared worst in the subject.

Throughout Santa Clara County, 52 percent of students scored proficient or advanced in English language/arts, and 59 percent achieved those levels in math -- 4 and 5 percent increases, respectively, from 2004.

Statewide, 40 percent of students ranked proficient or advanced in English language/arts, while 38 percent scored at that level in math. For more information, including results by school, visit http://star.cde.ca.gov. -- Katie Vaughn

International artists rock CSMA

Mountain View-Whisman elementary students will get an extra dose of multicultural education this year, thanks to new artists-in-residence at the Community School of Music and Arts.

Four groups -- Musica Pacifica, with whom CSMA has worked before, plus newcomers Kulintang Dance Theatre, the Russian Collection and Los Cenzontles -- will offer 52 concerts in courses CSMA provides to the schools through its Music in Action program. The 45-minute performances are interactive and involve songs, instruments, dance, costume and a sense of the artists' history and customs. This year's Music in Action curriculum explores the musical heritage of Baroque Europe, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America through hands-on lessons.

Additionally, the artists will perform as part of CSMA's free Sunday concert series. The performances, which are open to the public, allow students to involve their families in their multicultural music education.

CSMA brings in four artists-in-residence each year. This year's groups come to CSMA with the help of a new $6,000 grant from the Cisco Systems Foundation.

For more information, call CSMA at (650) 917-6800 or visit www.arts4all.org. -- Katie Vaughn

E-mail a friend a link to this story.