Academic Performance Index (API)
Understanding the Academic Performance Index (API)
The Academic Performance Index (API) was a cornerstone of California’s school accountability system, created under the Public Schools Accountability Act (PSAA) of 1999. The PSAA mandated that the California Department of Education (CDE) annually calculate API scores for public schools and publish statewide school decile rankings. It also established annual API growth targets for each district, school, and student group. The API measured academic performance and progress in California schools, setting growth benchmarks and ranking schools by achievement.
How Were Schools Ranked Using API Scores?
California schools were ranked using API scores in two key ways. First, they were ranked statewide alongside other schools of the same type—elementary, middle, or high school. Second, each school was compared to 100 “similar schools” with comparable student demographics, teacher qualifications, and other characteristics. This dual-ranking system provided a more balanced view of school performance across the state and among peers.
What Was the Academic Performance Index (API)?
The API provided a single, composite score—ranging from 200 to 1000—that represented a school’s academic performance. Higher scores indicated stronger academic outcomes. These scores were calculated from standardized test results and other academic indicators. Schools were expected to meet annual growth targets aimed at improving education statewide. The API became a key tool in school accountability, summarizing how well a school or student group performed on California’s standardized assessments. Schools were ranked not only by type but also among 100 demographically similar schools. Separate API scores were also provided for student subgroups—such as ethnic groups, socioeconomically disadvantaged students, English learners, and students with disabilities—if at least 10 students had valid test results. Only “numerically significant” groups received specific growth targets. The API was phased out with the adoption of Smarter Balanced assessments aligned to Common Core, as California moved to a new accountability model using multiple performance measures.
What Does “Numerically Significant” Mean in the API?
In API reporting, a “numerically significant” student group was one that met a minimum threshold for reporting—typically, at least 10 students with valid standardized test scores. Groups included English learners, low-income students, ethnic groups, and students with disabilities. If a group did not meet this size threshold, no separate score or growth target was reported for that group. This approach balanced privacy with data reliability.
Criteria for Student Group API Scores
Student subgroups were given their own API scores if more than 10 students had valid test results. These groups were defined by ethnicity, economic status, language proficiency, or disability status. This helped ensure the data was statistically valid and maintained privacy for smaller groups.
Evolution of California’s Academic Performance Index
The API served as the primary accountability tool in California for over a decade. It standardized how school performance was measured and compared, promoting transparency and improvement. In 2013, the introduction of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) began to reshape accountability. The LCFF emphasized equitable funding and required the development of a new system for evaluating school outcomes. API reporting was suspended during this transition, and the final API scores were released in 2013.
Smarter Balanced Tests and the End of the API
The shift away from API scores coincided with the rollout of the **Smarter Balanced assessments**, part of the **Common Core State Standards**. These new tests provided a more nuanced view of student achievement and informed California’s move toward a broader performance evaluation framework.
The California School Dashboard: A New Accountability System
By 2017, the **California School Dashboard** officially replaced the Academic Performance Index. This new system evaluates school performance using multiple measures—such as academic achievement, graduation rates, English learner progress, and school climate—offering a more comprehensive view of school quality. The Dashboard is now the primary tool for measuring progress and identifying areas for support and growth in California schools.
For more information, visit the California Department of Education API page.
