The Louisiana Department of Education released the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) Scores on Wednesday, showing three consecutive years of LEAP growth for not only the state of Louisiana but for Ouachita Parish Schools as well. The annual LEAP test is given to students in grades 3-12 and measures achievement in English, math, science and social studies. Overall, the Ouachita Parish School System’s performance score increased 1.1 points from the prior year.
“We are encouraged by the gains that our schools and students have shown during the most recent testing cycle,” Superintendent Todd Guice said. “All gains come from hard work on the part of teachers and students. Our district and school leadership teams will take the information provided by this data and work to continue to address the needs of all schools and students while preparing to transition to the new accountability system.”
“Ouachita Parish has set high expectations for student learning, and it shows in our test scores,” said Maribeth Holzer, Elementary/Middle Assessment and Accountability Supervisor for Ouachita Parish School System. “We have been very intentional about supporting our teachers in classroom instruction, which leads to higher academic achievement. This year, seven of our ten middle schools showed growth in their SPS scores with overall populations and/or specific subgroups. We are proud of our students and teachers.” The Interest and Opportunities indicator is a measure of whether schools are providing students with access to well-rounded education that exposes them to diverse areas of learning in which they can develop their skills and talents. Our K-8 students ranked 13th in this indicator.
Across the district there were 49 perfect LEAP scores earned by students.Over 50% of our schools made gains in students achieving mastery and/or advanced scores. OPSB high schools boast a graduation rate of 88.4 which is 5.2 points higher than the Louisiana state average.
"One thing we are most proud of in Ouachita Parish is our continued commitment to serving all students. Our school performance scores reflect this commitment. At the high school level, we have no school with a student subgroup needing urgent intervention.” said Haley Holley, Assessment and Accountability Supervisor of High Schools for Ouachita Parish School System. “This equity is underscored even further by the fact that three of our high schools have special education subgroups performing in the top 75th percentile. We are so proud of all our schools!”
Ouachita Parish had 16 schools improve their overall school performances score; Calhoun Elementary (+1.9), Central Elementary (+2.1), Crosley Elementary (+1.7), George Welch Elementary (+3.5), Riser Elementary (+5), Riverbend Elementary (+4.8), Robinson Elementary (+11.5), East Ouachita Middle School (+0.1), Good Hope Middle School (+1.2), Ouachita Junior High (+1.7), Richwood Middle (+4.1), West Ridge Middle (+1.3), Woodlawn Middle (+6.1), Sterlington High School (+6.3), West Monroe High School (+5.4) and West Ouachita High School (+1.6).
Mr. Curtis Pate, Chief Academic Officer, added that in addition to the aforementioned SPS increases and achievement, the Ouachita Parish School System had 16 schools earn the Tops Gains Honoree recognition; Boley Elementary, Calhoun Elementary, Central Elementary, Claiborne Elementary, Drew Elementary, George Welch Elementary, Kiroli Elementary, Sterlington Elementary, Swartz Upper, Swartz Lower, Woodlawn Elementary, Calhoun Middle, Good Hope Middle, West Ridge Middle, Sterlington High, and West Monroe High School. Tops Gains Honorees are schools with a progress index of 90 or higher.
Additionally, there were two schools who earned the Opportunity Honoree distinction which are Sterlington High School and West Ouachita High School. Opportunity honorees perform in the 90th percentile or above for students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students, or English learners.
“We are proud of our Top Gain schools and we will strive to continue to provide opportunities for ALL students to grow in Ouachita Parish,” Pate said.
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