Despite efforts to improve standards, students attending Stanford-operated East Palo Alto High School continue to score low on California’s achievement test in comparison to low-income students in other areas, according to a San Francisco Chronicle article published on October 30. The University opened the school four years ago in Menlo Park.

Education Prof. Linda Darling Hammond explained that there are large numbers of new English language learners at the school, accounting for the lower test scores. California requires that all students take the tests immediately in English, although other states allow up to three years before requiring that tests be taken in English.

In addition, Hammond noted that “the test scores have been rising every single year since the school has opened.” She explained that the school’s Academic Performance Index (API) has also exceeded the state target growth, adding that 93 percent of the students last year graduated on time, and 90 percent were accepted to post-secondary or four-year colleges. These are impressive numbers, especially relative to other East Palo Alto schools.

From Hammond’s perspective, a cursory glance at only test scores neglects the considerable achievements of the students, who often face serious obstacles.

Having worked with students in the Ravenswood Reads program, senior Priti Sanghani noted, “Some of the most difficult barriers students in East Palo Alto have to overcome are low expectations from their communities and schools. When one is not expected to do well in school or even go to college, it is much more difficult to be self-motivated to attain those goals.”

Ravenswood Reads is a program directed by the Haas Center for Public Service and aims to help low-income students facing academic difficulties.

Freshman Ellen Truxaw had a different take on the difficulties facing the students.

“I think one of the biggest obstacles that many of the East Palo Alto students face is the lack of opportunities to excel academically prior to high school,” she said. “Working with one junior high student, I’ve been told that the most challenging math class offered at her school is far too easy for her. Many of these students have the ability to succeed given the right opportunities. Their currently limited educational opportunities put them at a great disadvantage to students at other schools.”

To remedy this, Stanford is currently making plans to open up a new K-8 school in the area. Hammond explained that students often come into the high school several grade levels behind, which accounts for the lower test scores. Opening a new school would offer students a better education from the beginning.

Currently, plans are underway for a school to open for kindergarten and first-grade students next fall. The school is searching for a principal right now and will begin recruiting teachers and students in January.

In addition, Stanford faculty members are deeply involved with the operation of the high school.

“We’ve got people from the School of Education coaching beginning teachers and evaluating and advising on the curriculum,” Hammond explained.

Ray Bacchetti, resident scholar at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, had only words of praise for East Palo Alto High School. As a consultant with the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, Bacchetti has visited the school to see how the programs have been implemented and how the school has improved.

After speaking with the students, Bacchetti noted, “I was very impressed by their aspirations and ability to express themselves. I saw a very nice rapport and a sense of mutuality between the students and teachers which isn’t commonly seen.”