Rapides test scores show progress over time

Rapides Parish students in third through eighth grade as a whole show similar progress as the state on standardized tests.

The state recently released the results of English, math and science LEAP tests given in those grades this spring.

Over the course of four years, more students have started to show mastery in the first two subjects, which is what the state wants as schools are continually held to higher standards.

Data from the Louisiana Department of Education showed the percent of students in the state achieving mastery-level scores has grown from 24 percent to 38 from 2012 to 2016.

In Rapides, the percent has gone from 23 to 36.

However, during 2016 testing, the percentage of Rapides students who earned advanced or mastery scores was lower than the state as whole in every area.

• In English, just 16 percent of Rapides students showed mastery, while 41 percent were unsatisfactory.   
• In math, 22 percent received mastery scores and 16 percent were unsatisfactory.
• Only 11 percent of students had mastery scores in science, and 24 percent were unsatisfactory.

State Superintendent John White said in a prepared statement there has been progress, but room for improvement remains.

"We have raised academic expectations in order to prepare more students for the workplace and college. These results are encouraging," White said. "However, still today, too few students are fully prepared for the next level of education, and significant gaps remain in performance between historically disadvantaged students and their peers."

In Rapides, some grades showed exceptions to district averages. For example, 44 percent of eighth-graders had mastery scores in English, and 36 percent of third-graders showed mastery in math.

Though science was clearly a weak point in every grade, seventh-graders fared the best with 25 percent of students achieving mastery.

Two Rapides schools with notably higher LEAP scores than others in the district were Caroline Dormon Junior High and Phoenix Magnet Elementary. They were Rapides' two highest-rated schools by the state in 2014-15 and are both considered "A" schools.

In nearly every grade at both schools, close to 70 percent or more students achieved mastery or advanced English and math scores. About 50 percent or more in every grade reached those marks science.

Read more education news | Rapides schools to become more 'student centered' | New federal law the topic of Pineville forum | Rapides students raise money for technology | Rapides pre-K network helping achieve 'common goal' | Absenteeism rate in Rapides schools well below average | How absent are Central Louisiana students? | Pair from Alexandria went to same schools for 21 years | Summer Institute trains 'rockstar' educators | Local reading council revived | Rapides implements new plan to teach reading | When is your child's school open house?