La. students reaching ‘basic’ levels rises 2%

State education officials say the percentage of Louisiana public school students reaching “basic” achievement levels on standardized tests grew from 66% to 68% this year. The 2% gain follows gains of 1% in each of the past two years. Superintendent of Education John White, who released the figures today, says the 2% increase means roughly 10,000 more students are performing at grade-level this year than last year. Statewide, improvement was noted at almost every grade level and every subject. The exception was sixth grade, where there were declines in most subjects. The number of East Baton Rouge Parish students who reached “basic” achievement levels rose by 3% this year, placing the parish among the 16 in the state with the greatest such increase. The top district in the state, based on the percentage of students at grade level or above after 2012 spring testing, is Zachary Community School District, with 87% of students at grade level. West Feliciana and Central Community school districts are tied for second on that list, at 83%; Livingston Parish’s district is eighth on the list, at 80%, and Ascension is tied for 10th at 77%. The Louisiana Department of Education is making the complete testing results available at its website here.