As a testament to the proven strategies and hard work put in by Rim of the World Unified School District, we have seen CAASPP scores rise yet again this past school year, with larger jumps in scores compared to the county and state increases. While there is certainly more work to be done, the strategies, interventions, and support services we have been putting into place have clearly been paying off.
The Breakdown
English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) Scores Increase
Year-over-year, ROWUSD saw a 2% increase in ELA scores, compared to San Bernardino County’s 0.94% increase and California’s 0.38% increase.
Not only have scores increased compared to the county and state scores, but the share of students both meeting and exceeding standards has increased as well. This indicates that we are lifting up all students as can be seen in the graph below.
Mathematics Scores Increase
ROWUSD saw a 3.50% increase in math scores year-over-year, compared to San Bernardino County’s 1.13% increase and California’s 0.92% increase.
Similar to ELA, again, not only have scores increased compared to the county and state scores, but the share of students both meeting and exceeding standards has increased as well. This indicates that we are lifting up all students as can be seen in the graph below.
How did we get here? Key Interventions Leading to Success
Among the most impactful initiatives implemented by the district are the Interim Assessment Blocks (IABs), which have familiarized students with standardized test formats. These assessments, designed to mirror the structure of the CAASPP, have allowed students to practice and prepare effectively throughout the academic year.
Additionally, the district has made strategic enhancements to its Professional Learning Community (PLC) days, offering staff relevant and useful professional development opportunities. This ensures that teachers are better equipped to address student needs and implement best practices in the classroom.
Furthermore, the introduction of the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) and increased after-school tutoring and summer school programs have provided students with additional opportunities for learning and improvement.
The district has also studied and worked to address vertical articulation gaps so that as students move from one grade to another or one school to another, that standards & curriculum are consistent and build on top of what was previously taught.
Chronic Absenteeism Decline and Mental Health Focus
Outside of direct learning interventions and strategies, The district has also focused efforts on reducing chronic absenteeism — down 5% from the previous year — which has contributed to the rise in test scores. By addressing the root causes of absenteeism, including mental health challenges, the district ensures that more students are in school regularly, giving them better chances to succeed on standardized tests.
Mental health support has been a key priority, with partnerships with local mental health organizations — bringing Mountain Counseling & Training and Rim Family Services onto campuses has had a notable impact — and the integration of virtual services such as CareSolace, providing 24/7 access to mental health experts at no cost to students, staff, and families.
So What’s Next?
The combination of academic and emotional support strategies is proving effective, as demonstrated by the district’s upward trend in standardized test scores. With continued focus on these initiatives, Rim of the World Unified School District is likely to see sustained improvements in student outcomes. By bringing in more services, introducing better interventions, and hardening the tactics implemented to date, we can take our district to new heights. Some of this work includes, but certainly isn’t limited to:
Preschool: Work is currently underway to bring preschool to our district. By introducing vital early education, we can set students up for success. This work is in partnership with the SBCSS First Five grant and will include adding future preschool programs at VOE, CHE, LAE, and Lake Gregory Education Center. VOE will be the first preschool opened in our district during the 2025-26 school year.
Adult Education: The district is officially a voting member of the Inland Adult Education Consortium, which provides funding from the Adult Education Block Grant to fund adult education programs. In anticipation of opening an adult education program in our district during the 2025-26 school year, the district will develop an adult education committee for planning purposes.
Community Schools: A Community Schools planning grant has provided funding for elementary schools to develop a literacy program involving senior citizens, develop Career Technical Education (CTE) certification programs for secondary students, and hire a Community Outreach Coordinator to develop community partnerships. Notably, CTE Coordinator Stephanie Phillips has developed a Pharmacy Technology certification program for high school and adult education students with Valley College beginning in the fall of 2025.
If you have any additional ideas, please consider participating in the District’s LCAP Committee. Reach out to me for details.