Student Progress in Challenging Economic Times

By Tom Selinske

Pasadena continues to see student test scores advance faster than the state, even with the largest reductions in PUSD history.

Our students are unique to the region for their diversity of backgrouds,family and foster care situations,special needs and econimic diversity. With these challenges Pasadena Unified has been able to have one measure, our API test scores advance faster than the state last year, where we now have 8 schools API scores over 800.

This progress, along with other measures of success, have occured while over the last 3 years the state has reduced the school district's funding by over $30 million or over 15% of our budget. This has required tough choices and thoughtful priority setting.

Several more years of a tough state funding environment are expected and that is why I have initiated efforts to derive more local funding from our property assets, worked hard to secure grants for Middle school and High School improvments and drop-out prevention along with increasing partnerships with city and business leaders in support of many areas, including the arts and science education.

I invite you to work togther with me to continue to improve the future for our students.

Sincerely, Tom Selinske