School Score Reporting Flawed

* The article “School Loses in API Numbers Game,” (Oct. 17) about the Anaheim junior high school improving its students’ test scores but having a lower average score due to changing demographics, demonstrates a major flaw with the current measuring process. Schools should be rated by summing the changes of scores registered by individuals.

For example, if Timmy scored in the 25th percentile last year at another school and scores in the 35th percentile this year, it is a great result for Timmy’s teacher and Timmy’s current school, regardless of his class’ or school’s average test scores. Comparing this year’s sixth-grade class to last year’s is ridiculous. Using changes in individuals’ test scores eliminates the bias of changing demographics, but also eliminates the random variations that inherently occur in talent from year to year.

JIM MLADENIK

Irvine