St. Mary highest scoring on standardized tests

Tri-parish public school students showed marked improvements this spring on the standardized tests that are required for high school graduation and promotion to the next grade.

The state Department of Education released the scores for the Louisiana Education Assessment Program exam (LEAP) and the Graduation Exit Exam (GEE) last Tuesday.

“From a testing standpoint, 2008 has been a success,” State Superintendent Paul G. Pastorek said in a release last Wednesday. “When you look at these scores in tandem, our districts have much to be proud of and so do our kids.”

LEAP is given to fourth and eight graders, who must score at least “basic” in one of the two testing areas – English or math – and at least “approaching basic” in science or social studies to be promoted to the next grade.

Similarly, the GEE is given to 10th, 11th and 12th graders, who must score at least approaching basic or above in English and math, and either science or social studies to be eligible for graduation.

Statewide, the education department reports that 76 percent of fourth graders passed the promotion test compared to 74 percent in 2007, and 69 percent of the eighth graders made the grade compared to 66 last year.

On the home front, St. Mary Parish had the stronger showing in this year’s testing roundup for the Tri-parish area.

In fourth grade, 79 percent of the students met promotional standards compared to 68 percent last year. The percentage of eighth graders meeting standards was slightly down at 69 percent compared to last year’s 71 percent.

“Our fourth grade promotion rate for 2008 was three percentage points better than the state average,” St. Mary Accountability Manager Kevin Derise said. “Approximately, 80 fewer fourth graders will be required to attend mandatory summer remediation this year as compared to 2007.”

St. Mary also reported that first-time GEE takers exceeded the state’s 82 percent passing rate.

Lafourche Parish posted scores on par with state standards for the second year in a row. About 75 percent of the fourth graders scored at the “approaching basic/basic” promotional standards. Last year, only 72 percent had passing marks. In eighth grade, 68 percent of the students passed, up from 66 the prior year.

Of Lafourche’s first time GEE test takers, about 21 percent scored “unsatisfactory,” which is an increase from 16 percent last year.

Terrebonne Parish’s eighth graders had a four percent jump to 60 from last year’s testing cycle.

Among Terrebonne’s fourth graders, there was a two percent dropped from 73 percent to 71, according to overall figures.

Overall, 2,027 out of the 3,075 students who took the exam in Terrebonne Parish passed this year.

About 18 percent of Terrebonne’s first time GEE takers failed the English portion of the exam, and about 22 percent scored at the “unsatisfactory” level on math, which is a slight increase from 21 percent last year.

Students who failed the spring testing cycle will take the re-test this summer.

According to the education department, students at the “basic” level are considered to be on track and ready for a career or college.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.