Corridor ACT scores remain largely flat

With a few notable exceptions, average ACT scores have shown little change along the corridor over the past five years. The latest report from the Louisiana Department of Education shows Orleans and St. James parishes made two of the biggest jumps in the state. Orleans jumped from 17.0 in 2005 to 19.1; St. James, 18.4 to 20.0. St. Tammany Parish boasts the highest average score in the state — 21.6 — which is above the national average of 21.1. Several corridor parishes are above the state average 20.1 but below the national average of 21.1. They include Ascension [20.3], Calcasieu [20.2], Jefferson Davis [20.2], Lafayette [20.7], Livingston [20.3], St. Charles [20.6], and the Zachary School District [20.3]. Overall, Louisiana’s average score has climbed from 19.8 to 20.1 during the five-year period. The really good news is this: The percentage of Louisiana graduates who take the national assessment has risen dramatically, from 74% in 2006 to 89% in 2009. Louisiana ranked 43rd nationwide this year, but three ethnic groups outpaced the national average: African Americans, American Indians and Hispanics.