In the first of many testing results to be released in the coming weeks, Conejo Valley Unified School District students seem to be maintaining their traditionally good results.

Last week, the California Department of Education released the 2008 Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) test results, which students in grades two through 11 took at the end of last year.

Seventyone percent of second- through 10th-graders who took the language arts test scored in the proficient or advanced levels. And 74.8 percent of the second through seventhgraders who take the math test scored at those high levels.

Janet Cosaro, CVUSD's assistant superintendent of instructional services, said administrators are pleased with the results.

"We looked at the subgroups in (high schools), and they seem to have made some good growth," Cosaro said. "As far as elementary and middle school (scores), there's little waves where some go up a little bit and then down a little bit.

"Once you get up so high, there's a little regression to the mean. Sometimes you slide back a little," she said.

Students are ranked as being advanced, proficient, basic, below basic and far below basic in the subjects.

No grade level had less than 62 percent of its students reach the proficient or advanced levels. High school students did particularly well in math, with 82 percent ranked proficient or higher in Algebra 1. Algebra 2, however, proved to be the most noticeable challenge.

"The state wants us teaching eighth-graders algebra, and they're doing just outstanding," Cosaro said. "The teachers are working really, really hard. Algebra 2 needs work, with only 40 percent of students taking it at proficient or higher, although last year it was 33 percent. We're really taking a look at that."

In California, 42.7 percent of students scored at the proficient level or higher in math, and 45.8 percent of students scored at proficient or better in language arts, jumps of 2 and 3 percent from 2007.

In Ventura County, scores jumped about 1 percent, to 52.5 percent of proficient or higher in language arts and 47.3 percent in math.

"California public school students are continuing to make solid, steady progress learning the skills and concepts necessary for success in school and in life," said state Superintendent of Schools Jack O'Connell.

"While we still have a lot of work to do to reach our goal of universal proficiency, this year's gains are particularly encouraging considering they build upon five years of steady growth," he said.

The district has assembled data teams, made up of administrators, deans and assistant principals, to focus on different subjects of the tests.

"They're breaking it down even further," Cosaro said. "They will look at one particular strand, for example literary response in language arts, and algebra and functions in the math (section). We'll really be able to start to pinpoint what kids have learned and focus teaching on what they haven't."

Meetings throughout the school year, Cosaro said, will study the data teams' information. Teachers have also spent the summer writing benchmarks so they can monitor what students have learned every six weeks or so, instead of waiting for endoftheyear testing.

"It's a tool to shape instruction," Cosaro said. "It's teaching while learning. We're doing it as we go along."

The state raises the percent of students who need to be proficient a bit each year, with the goal being 100 percent by 2014. This year, 34 percent of students needed to score proficient or higher in language arts and 35 percent in math. Next year, the targets jump to 45 and 45.5 percent, respectively, Cosaro said.

"It's going to be ratcheted up pretty quickly," Cosaro said. "We've been able to maintain scores while the target is moving up, which is what we expected."

Economically disadvantaged students and English-language learners must meet the targets as well.

"Our students are making growth, and so are our subgroups," Cosaro said. "We're also looking at our students with special needs who continue to (require) extra interventions."

For results, go online to star.cde.ca.gov.