St. Mary kids beat La. LEAP average

St. Mary Parish students’ performance on the 2016 LEAP tests exceeded state proficiency levels in math and English. Both tests were taken entirely online by students in grades 6-8 and some fifth-graders.

Over 50 percent of St. Mary’s third- and fourth-graders scored at mastery and advanced levels on the test in math.

Their scores exceeded the math state average scores in both grade levels. Third-graders exceeded the average by seven points, and fourth-graders exceed the average by 12 points.

The third- and fourth-graders also attained higher percentages on the mastery and advanced levels than state averages in English.

The third-graders’ percentage exceeded the state’s English average by 10, and the fourth graders exceeded the average by 7.

“Once again, our students have risen above the state average despite the increasing difficulty level of state standards and the new online testing format,” said St. Mary Superintendent Leonard Armato in a press release.

This success can be directly attributed to the collaborative effort among parents, teachers, administrators and instructional staff that prepared students to exhibit academic achievement in whatever testing format presented to them, Armato said.

Mastery and advanced scoring percentages in math and English for fifth-graders superseded the state’s average.

With a change in testing to an online format, student performance in grades 6-8 showed test averages of mastery and advanced below state averages.

Students scoring at mastery and advanced levels in math:

Third grade — 53 percent. The state percentage is 46.

Fourth grade — 52 percent. The state percentage is 40.

Fifth grade — 40 percent. The state percentage is 33.

Sixth grade — 26 percent. The state percentage is 28.

Seventh grade — 26 percent. The state percentage is 26.

Eighth grade — 29 percent. The state percentage is 30.

Students scoring at the mastery and advanced levels in English:

Third grade — 46 percent. The state percentage is 36.

Fourth grade — 49 percent. The state percentage is 42.

Fifth grade — 39 percent. The state percentage is 38.

Sixth grade — 37 percent. The state percentage is 39.

Seventh grade — 36 percent. The state percentage is 41.

Eighth grade — 43 percent. The state percentage is 49.

Although the Louisiana Department of Education released the results late, the district’s staff has taken immediate steps to thoroughly analyze individual proficiency totals and overall data to accurately formulate remediation plans and afterschool tutoring for students as needed, Armato said.

The tests were taken in the spring. Score results were released by the state department Aug. 4.

In other news, a public hearing will be held Thursday at 4:45 p.m. to review the consolidated budget for the year ending June 20, 2017. The regularly scheduled board meeting will follow at 5 p.m.

The board will vote to approve the resolution for adopting operating budget revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year.