Marin County’s Tamalpais Union High School District faces a stubborn academic challenge: student test scores keep dropping, and it’s starting to rattle both trustees and the community. Sure, local students still outpace county and state averages, but the downward trend is hard to ignore — and it’s putting the district’s reputation on the line as one of California’s top public school systems.
With campuses in Larkspur, Mill Valley, Fairfax, and San Anselmo, district administrators feel the heat. There’s mounting pressure to do something big, and to do it fast.
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Declining Scores Across the District
The latest California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) scores aren’t pretty. Only 63% of students met or exceeded English standards, a pretty noticeable drop from the district’s three-year average of 75%.
Math scores didn’t fall as sharply, but they’re still slipping — now at 54%, down from the previous 57% average.
Breaking Down School-by-School Performance
Redwood High School in Larkspur took the biggest hit. English scores slid from 79% to 70%, while math dropped from 65% to 57%.
Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley also saw declines in both English and math, which has trustees more than a little concerned. Archie Williams High School in Fairfax managed a small win in math, rising to 56% proficiency from a previous 50%, but its English scores still declined.
Trustees Call for Accountability
Board members aren’t hiding their frustration. Trustee Kevin Saavedra said he felt a “sense of shame,” and Trustee Cynthia Roenisch admitted the board has “egg on our faces” over these numbers.
For years, trustees have urged administrators to raise standards and hold everyone — students, teachers, staff — to higher expectations.
The Pandemic’s Lingering Effect
COVID-19 disruptions once seemed like a reasonable excuse for lower scores. Now, though, trustees say recovery should’ve happened by this point.
Seeing scores still lag behind pre-pandemic levels, they’re starting to compare Tamalpais Union’s stats with districts like Palo Alto Unified and Acalanes Union, where students hit around 80% proficiency.
Learning From High-Performing Districts
Trustees want administrators to study what works for California’s highest achievers. That could mean shaking up teaching methods, tweaking curricula, or getting parents and students more involved.
Honestly, a lot of folks in Marin — from San Rafael to Corte Madera — seem to think the time for slow, careful tweaks is over.
Ideas Being Floated
Some initiatives on the table include:
- Making performance data more accessible to the public.
- Offering targeted tutoring in English and math.
- Expanding college readiness and AP/honors programs.
- Setting tougher academic accountability standards across all schools.
- Launching task forces to study and copy what’s working in places like Palo Alto.
Community Impact and Reputation
People in Marin County — whether they’re in Mill Valley, Tiburon, or Novato — have always taken pride in their public schools. The Tamalpais Union High School District has long drawn families looking for top-notch education.
But with scores dropping, some folks are starting to worry. Could the district’s hard-earned reputation slip? What about property values, or trust in local schools? It’s a real concern that’s tough to shake.
What’s Next for Tamalpais Union?
The board wants immediate action, so expect some deep dives into curriculum, teaching standards, and student performance data over the coming months. Trustees say they’ll check on these numbers often and update parents at public meetings in Mill Valley, Larkspur, and Fairfax.
As Marin heads into a new school year, one big question hangs in the air: can Tamalpais Union High School District reclaim its spot among California’s top public school systems? Local leaders seem confident, but they stress that real change only happens if people step up now and make sure every Marin County student gets a shot at long-term success.
Here is the source article for this story: Editorial: Until test scores improve, Tam District board must voice concerns
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