The Louisiana Department of Education released new data Wednesday showing students' LEAP test results.
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) -- The Louisiana Department of Education released new data Wednesday showing students' LEAP test results.
State education officials said Louisiana students maintained gains, according to results for the 2023-24 school year.
"Louisiana’s overall mastery rate for students in grades 3-8 is 34, high school is 36, and the combined rate is 35. All of those percentages match totals from the previous year," according to a news release from LDOE.
A mastery rate is defined as a measure of the percentage of students who scored Mastery or above on the test.
The percentage of students scoring "Unsatisfactory" decreased when compared to last year in grades 3-12, according to LDOE.
Results showed that students in grades 3-8 improved overall mastery rate in English language arts by one point. Officials said mastery rates improved in grades 3, 5, 6 and 7 but declined in grades 4 and 8.
In math and science, students in grades 3-8 maintained previous mastery rates. Grades 4 and 7 showed an improvement in their math mastery rates. In science, mastery rates improved in grades 3, 5 and 6 while declining in grades 4, 7 and 8.
Eighth graders' scores dropped one point in English language arts and math and three points in science, according to results.
Students with disabilities in grades 3-8 had an improved overall mastery rate for the third year in a row.
“Following consecutive years of improvement, these latest scores show students holding steady,” said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley. “With a need to see increased outcomes, however, these numbers substantiate our recent aggressive efforts to simply let teachers teach, provide students with high-dosage tutoring, refresh our school accountability model, and expand options for students to access high-quality schools.”
Social studies test scores were not available this year because the state education department said it is developing an assessment for the state's new Freedom Framework social studies standards. A test is scheduled for the spring of 2025.
Results showed that Ascension Public Schools is the No. 1 district in Louisiana for the percentage of students in grades 3-12 reaching mastery and advanced levels with 53%.
"We are ecstatic about these achievements and incredibly proud of our students, teachers, staff, leaders, and parents for their relentless hard work and dedication. These rankings highlight the exceptional effort and commitment of our entire educational community," said Superintendent Edith M. Walker.
Walker said the school system won't be satisfied until all 24,000 of its students' results show high-level scores.
