"I am encouraged by the upward trend in academic achievement demonstrated by Los Angeles County students, as reflected in the latest California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) results. For the 2023-24 school year, we've seen modest gains across English language arts (ELA), math, and science: 

• 48.1% of L.A. County students met or exceeded the standard for ELA, up from 47.2% in 2022-23. 
• In math, 36.5% of students met or exceeded the standard, compared to 34.7% in 2022-23. 
• For science, 29.8% of students met or exceeded the standard, up from 27.9% in 2022-23. 

While these improvements are promising, we recognize that they are not yet where we want them to be. However, every step forward is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and students. It's important to note that overall scores in L.A. County have not yet returned to the pre-pandemic proficiency levels of 2018-19, except for 11th grade ELA, where 56.6% of students met or exceeded the standard. 

As we move forward, we must double down on our efforts to address ongoing challenges, particularly those exacerbated by the post-pandemic environment. We remain committed to tackling disparities, focusing on student mental health, and providing targeted support to every student. These challenges offer valuable insights into where we need to concentrate our efforts. 

I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to our teachers, counselors, administrators and other school site staff for their critical contributions. Their tireless efforts in providing engaging instruction, emotional support and effective leadership have been instrumental in helping our students progress. 

We are committed to continuous improvement and will refine our strategies to close equity gaps. Our perseverance and sustained effort will bring about the meaningful improvements we seek. While encouraged by these incremental gains, we acknowledge the significant work ahead. Together, we will create an educational environment where every student can thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances."