What's at stake?
The latest statewide test scores released Thursday show Fresno-area schools improving, but slowly.
Since assuming the role of superintendent at western Fresno County’s Golden Plains Unified School District three years ago, Felipe Piedra has seen his students make rapid gains, at least according to the state’s math and english test scores.
Golden Plains Unified students improved their math proficiency by 6% in the last year alone.
“How do we give those kids an opportunity to learn in an academic environment where they can go on and pursue a career, pursue academics, and feel they’re competitive instead of walking into a campus and feeling like they can’t compete,” Piedra said in an interview.
Golden Plains’ English language proficiency remained at 26% in the latest California Smarter Balanced scores released Thursday after improving by 6% previously.
If you ask Piedra, the good results are burgeoning from the community itself, Tranquility, the one he was born, raised and established his own family in. Piedra credits parent involvement and staff teaching with rigor behind the district’s increasing progress.
Fresno Unified’s state test scores, referred to as SBAC, are continuing to improve, showing the district’s 3rd-8th grade and 11th graders improved their performance in English and/or Math, reaching a proficiency rate of 40% and 29%, respectively.
It’s a new milestone; the first time the district has exceeded its performance from pre-COVID school years, specifically on English language proficiency scores. FUSD leaders have previously touted student gains but acknowledged remaining off pace.
“Fresno Unified is outperforming peers. The district ranks 8th in ELA and 4th in math against 27 demographically comparable California districts,” the district wrote in a news release on Thursday.
Carlos Castillo, the district’s chief academic officer, described the improving scores as a stepping stone in Fresno Unified’s journey to better student achievement.
“Historically, it does mark a milestone of the highest we’ve ever been in ELA since we began the standardized testing era, so we’re excited about that piece,” Castillo said, noting “but at the same time, the sentiment is: ‘We still have a long way to go as well.’”
Nearby districts like Clovis, Central and Sanger Unified also saw improvements to their scores, with Clovis Unified raising its English proficiency by two percentage points and math by one point, posting rates of 69% and 55%, respectively.
Central Unified’s ELA score remained at 44% and increased a percentage point in math to 31%, while Sanger Unified’s English proficiency improved by two percentage points and math by four for rates of 55% and 44%.
Fresno County’s test results overall have been climbing by at least 2% annually since 2024, achieving an ELA rate of 48% and 36% for math in the 2025-26 school year.
Back at Golden Plains Unified, Piedra says that the district, though small and serving a majority of high-needs students, has taken steps to make the school environment feel supportive for kids.
According to state data, 95% of students at Golden Plains are economically disadvantaged, with 49% of its student population designated as English Learners. Compared to districts in the state with similar demographics and enrollment, the Tranquility area district leads as one of the highest performing districts for both categories.
Golden Plains Unified’s high school, Tranquility High, saw a shift in ELA and Math scores from 49% and 13% in 2024 to 40% and 31% in the 2025-26 state assessments, an +18% increase to math proficiency. Just seven years ago, the district posted results of 20% for English and 12% for math.
Piedra stressed that Golden Plains Unified’s improvement doesn’t come from a single strategy or point of focus.
Rather, Piedra explained that a sense of closeness between community members and the schools makes students feel supported in the classroom, at home and in extracurriculars, saying that the community makes an effort to show up and be present in kids’ educational careers.
“When we can communicate to parents that we really want what’s best for the child, and yes, we’re going to push them, and yes, there may be some bumps in the road along the way, but to trust the process and trust that we’re really there to support their child and make them better, the parents buy in,” Piedra explained.
“That’s been an important thing, is really opening up our doors and making the community feel welcome, having events, whether it’s back-to-school nights where we’re bringing our parents in, bringing other community members in as well, bringing resources in for parents and families to see, and offering food in an environment where parents can come and feel welcome.”
Piedra also praised the students of the Golden Plains Unified, whom he described as inquisitive, friendly, entrepreneurial and with a go-getter’s attitude.
According to Piedra, the district and the larger community has struggled in the last several years from water insecurity and a dry job market, which he said has triggered an exodus of students, with enrollment falling more than 20%.
Piedra said that this has caused his district to reduce the amount of classes in schools and to look into consolidating services and potentially schools to address declining enrollment.
Regardless, Piedra says the work and results at Golden Plains Unified is an example of what’s possible for students, parents and the community.
“Our administrators are caring individuals that really want to see our kids improve and they create that environment where teachers feel trusted and respected, and kids feel valued when they walk in the door.”
