RIVERSIDE

By Chris Levister

"Close the gap," that's the word from state school's chief Jack O'Connell.

California's students are sharpening their No. 2 pencils for the spring testing season that kicks into high gear this week. That's when the state Department of Education will release school rankings from last year's STAR (Standardized Testing and Reporting) tests and goals.

"Everybody is on edge, says David Morgan, a veteran teacher, and state public instruction consultant.

California students are gearing up for the annual testing season. New state rules push schools to meet higher standards.

"It's going to be more challenging for the schools to reach their growth target, said O'Connell. "Closing the achievement gap is not only an economic imperative, but a moral imperative.

Increasingly many teachers and administrators feel they're caught in a vise, pressured by the rising demands of Sacramento and the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Although schools have long administered standardized tests, a decade ago they took on greater significance when state legislators created benchmarks that ramp up annually.

Schools are under pressure to teach new concepts and skills, reinforce previous lessons and give practice tests before the annual STAR tests are administered in late April or early May.

With state and national polls showing little progress in achievement among high school students, schools are adopting creative ways to help students and bring up scores. For example San Bernardino City Unified Schools has joined civic and private partnerships that sponsor a before-school academy, an after-school program and a weekly parents' group.

The federal No Child Left Behind Act expects every child in California to meet academic performance standards by 2014. To reach that goal, every year the law will demand increasing percentages of students attain proficiency in language and math. But it leaves it to the state to define proficiency.

California set one of the highest achievement bars in the nation. Already more than 30 percent of schools located in urban communities are failing to meet the federal standards and may eventually face sanctions, possibly a state takeover.

Despite criticism of testing mania, most administrators, teachers and parents agree the benchmarks are necessary.

"It boils down to accountability," said Morgan. The new rules enable the state to track "real" teacher progress. "We've got to take the politics and rhetoric out of educating low-performing students.

O'Connell is telling schools they must educate every child, regardless of circumstances, to meet high standards.

"We're raising the bar." When the rubber meets the road the test O'Connell says is to see what students can do in the real world. For example can they do simple math - without a calculator or can they write a letter to grandma.

"We've go the feed the whole child, which is especially important for lower income students who are falling further and further behind."