The state Department of Education released 2009 test results today that show a jump in testing performance at almost 80% of schools. Topping the list among districts is the Zachary Community School District with a score of 116.8, followed by West Feliciana Parish with 110.9, Ascension Parish with 105.9 and Central Community Schools with 105.8. The state set a decade-long performance goal of 100 in 1999, but fell short this year at 91. Still, Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek says: “In comparison to the last several years, where for the most part we saw marginal gains, a gain of nearly five points (4.7) reinforces our efforts and tells us that many superintendents are focusing on the right things and are moving in the right direction.” Ten years ago, the state only earned a 69.4 score.
The results are based on various student-test scores, dropout and graduation rates and attendance. Although a 23.4-point gap exists between black and white students in English and a 28.1-point gap exists in math, the achievement gap has narrowed since the state launched its accountability system in 1999. In the last decade, the gap between black and white students narrowed by 10.3% in English and 9.8% in math, while the gap between financially disadvantaged students and their peers narrowed by 3.5% in English and 4.4% in math. For more details, click here.
