By David Vitrano
L’Observateur

RESERVE—Students in the St. John school system continued to show improvement in the state-mandated standardized tests administered in April.

Growth was recorded in the scores in all but four grade-specific areas.

Fourth-grade LEAP testers showed a 1-percent decline in students attaining a ranking of basic or above in the English and Language Arts (ELA) portion of the test. Other areas on that grade level, however, showed improvement. The district’s fourth graders showed an 11-, 14- and 1-percent increase in the Math, Science and Social Studies portions of the test, respectively.

On the eighth-grade level, where students must pass the LEAP test to be promoted, some work still needs to be done. Their scores in the ELA section remained the same as in 2008 and the scores in the Math portion showed a 2-percent decline. In the Science and Social Studies portions, eighth graders showed gains of 2 and 14 percent, respectively.

Numerous bright spots, including a number of double-digit gains, showed up in this year’s test results. The parish’s seventh graders, especially, showed marked improvements over last year. They posted 6-, 18-, 20- and 18-percent gains in the ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies sections of the test, respectively.

The district’s third, fifth and ninth graders also showed improvement across the board.

The parish’s high school students, who take the GEE test, can also hold their heads high as gains of 2, 13, 9 and 7 percents were seen in the ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies portions of the test, respectively.

“We are pleased with the gains we’re seeing in some areas, especially in our high schools. Our teachers and administrators have been working extremely hard. I truly believe that by all of us working together to maintain a laser-like focus on our resources, such as human potential, time, funds and space, our students will continue to show gains in academic achievement. There is no silver bullet. It is a total organizational focus on our students and our schools,” Superintendent Courtney Millet said.

The progress seen within the parish mirrors that of the state as a whole.

According to a release from the Department of Education, State Superintendent Paul Pastorek said the gains made this year throughout the state “may very well represent the most notable progress since the state implemented its accountability program in 1999.”

“We are pleased, but not surprised by the gains in student achievement,” said Pastorek. “Local school districts are aggressively implementing reforms and solutions based on proven outcomes. Our veteran teachers have embraced new and better ways to teach their students, and higher education leaders have advocated and implemented changes in our state’s education colleges to ensure new teachers are prepared to be effective in the classroom. Policy makers and other agencies are working with us to develop and support strategies to transform low-performing schools and support struggling students. And local, regional and national education and community organizations have partnered with us to assist in making dramatic improvements in public education at the local and state level. These and other efforts have culminated, and our children are benefitting from our combined work.”

All but two districts statewide made overall gains, and those districts either remained flat or dropped by only one percentage point.

Another similarity between the district and the state is the performance of fourth graders on the Math portion of the LEAP. The district’s 1-percent decline was only slightly better than the statewide drop of 2 percent.

Although many parents and educators have called for the abolishment of the standardized tests—or at least a change in methods of evaluation—Pastorek seems to staunchly stand behind the assessment tools.

“The greatest advancements in our state’s public education system have been made over the last decade—after we implemented our accountability system. This week’s reports clearly demonstrate we are doing the right things, and our children are gaining the knowledge and skills they need to be successful—not just in school—but in their future pursuits,” said Pastorek.