Tri-parish GEE, LEAP scores a mixed bag

Scores from this year’s statewide high-stakes testing were uneven for Tri-parish students compared to last year, data released last Wednesday by the state Department of Education indicated.

In St. Mary Parish, 77 percent of fourth graders and 73 percent of eighth graders met the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) test’s promotional standards.

That represents a 2-percent drop in fourth grade passing rate and 4-percent increase with the eighth graders.

On the Graduation Exit Exam (GEE), 90 percent of 10th graders passed English language arts and 92 percent passed the math portion, while 11th graders achieved an 89 percent passing rate in science and social studies. All assessments were above the state average.

Fourth and eighth graders must achieve Basic or above on either the English language arts or math section and Approaching Basic on the other promoted to the fifth grade.

Tenth graders must score Approaching Basic or above on the English language arts and math tests and on either the science or social studies tests to be eligible for a standard high school diploma.

“We’re very pleased with the test results. We had 19 or 30 (subject) assessments above the state average,” said Dr. Donald Aguillard, St. Mary Parish Schools superintendent. “We had gains in 22 of the 30 tests. So, we’re pleased by our academic year.”

The biggest gains were seen in 6th through 8th grades, with near double-digit improvement in all subject tests.

Aguillard credits implementing two programs for the dramatic up-tick in scores in the middle grades: Fast Forward, a computer literacy program, and Extended Day, where low-performing students spend an extra hour in school.

“Because of these results, 130 fewer kids will need ELA (English language arts) in summer school. That’s exciting,” Aguillard said. “We’ll have 112 fewer kids needing math in summer school. It’s a strong indication that our programs are effective.”

In Terrebonne and Lafourche parish, the results were not as pleasant.

The percentage of Terrebonne students meeting the promotional standard was lower than the state average across the board.

Seventy-three percent of fourth graders pass the LEAP compared to the 75 percent state average.

The eighth grade scores were worse with only 63 percent passing the LEAP. The state average was 69.

On the GEE, 53 percent passed English language arts, the same as last year.

Meanwhile, 67 percent passed the math section, up from 59 a year ago. Both were far below the state average for ELA and math, which are 62 percent and 73 percent, respectively.

In Lafourche Parish, the percentage of eighth graders meeting the promotional standard was right at the state average of 69 percent.

Fourth graders did not do as well with only 71 percent passing the LEAP. The state average was 75 percent.

On the GEE, 10th grade students showed great improvement over last year. There was a 10-percentage point increase passing the math section from 68 percent to 78 this year. That was better than the state average of 73 percent.

The district also saw a three-percentage point increase on the English portion of the exam, improving from 55 to 58 percent. The state average in English is 62 percent.