At its Nov. 13 meeting, Orange Unified School District staff presented district-level 2025 CAASPP/CAST results and highlighted targeted strategies that district leaders say are closing achievement gaps for English learners (EL) and students with disabilities.

Dr. Christina Lin, executive director of assessment and accountability, told the board "OUSD students surpassed the state average in English language arts and math at the elementary and middle school level," and noted district gains over a 10-year period in elementary and middle school ELA and math. She said high-school math remains an area needing increased focus.

Site leaders described practices that contributed to gains. Orange High School Principal Cheryl Anderson Glass and EL adviser Luz Pineda outlined a structure that groups 9/10 and 11/12 EL students, provides double-block ELD classes, and uses STAR Renaissance reading assessments to support reclassification. Pineda said the district reclassified 23 students during the STAR pilot last year and that the site expects to reclassify at least 45 students by the end of this school year with the new assessment approach; she reported six students reached the reading level for reclassification on the day of the meeting.

Imperial Elementary staff described an intensive interim-assessment program and weekly 45-minute practice windows that they said supported a 35-percentage-point increase in ELA and a 13-point increase in math for students with IEPs. Principals credited focused interim assessments, expanded accommodation windows, and intensive small-group and 1:1 instruction.

District leaders also announced recognition: 15 elementary schools and four middle school programs were named in U.S. News & World Report lists referenced by staff, and multiple site teams were recognized locally for achievement and engagement.

What’s next: district staff said they will continue targeted data-driven instruction, monitor reclassification and progress for EL and special-education students, expand successful site practices where appropriate, and provide regular updates to the board.