LOUISIANA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CONTINUE TO IMPROVE

Jul 02, 2013

End Of Course Tests Show Gains For Fifth Consecutive Year

BATON ROUGE, La. - The Department today announced Louisiana high school students saw consistent improvement on End-of-Course (EOC) exams, improving by 4 percent since 2012 and up 16 percent since 2009. EOC exams have been administered to students enrolled in five subjects: Algebra I, English II, English III, Geometry and Biology. This year, a sixth subject, U.S. History was added.  English II saw the most pronounced improvement, with 10 percent more students scoring Good or above.

"Louisiana students should be incredibly proud of this improvement. Our educators and families have made it a priority that students master fundamental skills in high school, ultimately preparing our kids for college or a career," said State Superintendent John White. "This also shows that even as Louisiana raises the bar- our kids are as smart as any others and can meet the challenge."

These exams are designed to measure whether students have mastered the required knowledge, skills, and abilities of the tested course with the ultimate goal of preparing students for college or career. Students received one of four achievement levels on these exams: Excellent, Good, Fair, or Needs Improvement. To earn a passing score, students must score Fair or higher. Students must pass three EOC tests in the following categories: English II or English III, Algebra I or Geometry, and Biology or U.S. History. A rating of Excellent or Good demonstrates proficiency in a particular subject.

Many districts saw even more pronounced growth on End of Course tests, leading the state average.

District Name

December 2011 and May 2012

December 2012 and May 2013

Change from 2012-2013

Union Parish

35

47

12

Evangeline Parish

52

64

12

East Carroll Parish

41

52

11

Pointe Coupee Parish

38

49

11

Jackson Parish

48

58

10

DeSoto Parish

51

60

9

Iberville Parish

40

48

8

Plaquemines Parish

64

72

8

St. Charles Parish

63

71

8

Vernon Parish

67

75

8

West Carroll Parish

58

66

8

The following districts were the top ten performing in the state on End-of-Course tests.
 

District Name

December 2011 and May 2012

December 2012 and May 2013

Zachary Community Schools

74

75

St. Tammany Parish

71

75

Vernon Parish

67

75

Central Community Schools

70

75

Vermilion Parish

72

75

Ascension Parish

68

74

Plaquemines Parish

64

72

St. Bernard Parish

70

72

Livingston Parish

67

71

St. Charles Parish

63

71


Algebra I, English II, Geometry, Biology, English III, and U.S. History Annual Comparisons

Percentage of Students Scoring Proficient in Algebra I

2007-2008

2008-2009

2009-2010

2010-2011

2011-2012

2012-2013

Excellent or Good

37

38

41

51

56

55

Fair or Needs Improvement

63

62

59

48

44

45

 

Percentage of Students Scoring Proficient in English II

2008-2009

2009-2010

2010-2011

2011-2012

2012-2013

Excellent or Good

49

54

61

66

75

Fair or Needs Improvement

51

46

39

34

25



Percentage of Students Scoring Proficient in Geometry

2009-2010

2010-2011

2011-2012

2012-2013

Excellent or Good

34

41

50

55

Fair or Needs Improvement

66

59

50

45

 

Percentage of Students Scoring Proficient in Biology

2010-2011

2011-2012

2012-2013

Excellent or Good

43

51

58

Fair or Needs Improvement

58

48

42



Percentage of Students Scoring Proficient in English III
 

2011-2012

2012-2013

Excellent or Good

50

58

Fair or Needs Improvement

49

41

 

Percentage of Students Scoring Proficient in U.S. History

2012-2013

Excellent or Good

53

Fair or Needs Improvement

47


NOTE: The percentages of students across achievement levels may not total 100, due to rounding.

For more detailed information at the state, district and school levels, please visit the High School and Career and College Readiness Data Center.

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